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S2a  Si  03  5:a.  ,£ii.  ii^'SS' 

OF  THE 

AT 

PRINCETON,   N.  J. 

i>  o  IV -A.  T I  o  :3r     OF-  ' 

SAMUEL    AONEW, 

OF    PHILADELPHIA,     PA. 

q4^o 


I 


f'  '  " wl*"-  —  ----- 


fc-r  v  ••♦^■^ 


GOSPEL    NEWS, 

Divided  into  eleven  sections. 

PEACE  AND  JOY: 


Being  a  Brief  Attempt  to  conuder  the  Evidences  of  the  Truth  of  the 
Gosrtl,^  in  which  we  have  'the  witnefs  of  Peace  v/itH  Goii, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  drawn  from  the  Old  and  New-Teftaments, 
together  with  our  Obligations  to  keep  the  Foundation  of  our  Peace, 
thus  evidenced  always  in  Remembrance;  with  feveral  other  Pieces 
conneaed  with  and  built  upon  this  foundation,  part  of  which  wsts 
not  before  publifhed. 


B^SHIPPIE   TOWNSEND- 


Isaiah  Ivii.  19,  I  create  the  Fruit  of  the  Lips  5  t'eace,  Peace  to  far 
fcfFatnd  to  near,  faith  the  Lord. 

John  xvi.  33.  Thefe  things  have  I  fpoken  unto  you,  that  in  me  jjpe 
might  have  peace. 

Acts  x.  36.    Preaching  peace  by  Jesus  CiIrist. 

CoLLosiAKs  i.  JO.     He  hath  made  peace  by  the  blood  of  his  crofs. 

immmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmiimmmimmmmmmmmmfmmmmmamimmwmmmtmwmm^em.^ 
t>RINTEI>   At   BdSTOK, 

By  ALEXANDER  YOUNG  And  THOMAS  MINNS, 

FOR    THE   WRITER,  AND    SOLD   AT   THE    SSVESLAJ. 
BOOK-STORES    IN    T0W>1. 
MUKCXCIV. 


DEDICATION. 

As  an  expreilion  of  unfeigned 
Thankfgiving,  for  the  exceeding  Ricfies 
of  Divine  Grace,  exhibited  in  the  Gof- 
pe),  the  following  Collecflion  is  dedicat- 
ed by  the  Writer,  to  the  Honour  and 
Glory  of  the  Author  and  Finisher 
of  our  Faith  ;  and  as  an  expreflion  of 
Love  to  the  purchafed  poffeflion,  they 
are  publifhed  for  their  perufal.  That 
the  blefling  of  God  may  attend  the 
work,  to  thofe  vi^ho  read  or  hear,  is  the 
prayer  of  the  Writer. 

AMEN, 


The  Occafion  of  the  following  Treatife. 


\Jh  the  publication  of  Peace  in  Bojlon,  a  num- 
bet  of  friends  were  coUeded  together  an  evening  af- 
ter, and  a  fpeech.  delivered  on  the  occafion  ;  the  fub- 
ftance  of  which  is  the  foundation  of  the  prefent  difr 
courfe  :  When  the  importance  of  underftanding  the 
Evidence  of  the  truth  of  the  gofpel,  which  publifhcs 
peace  with  God,  throqgh  Jesus  Christ,  in  order  to 
fattsfy  diftreffed,  perplexed  minds,  and  for  the  confo- 
lation  of  believers,  gave  occafion  briefly  to  go  over 
thefe  evidences,  as  they  appear  in  the  law  of  Mofes, 
the  Prophets  and  the  Ffalms^  in  the  birth,  life,  death, 
and  refurreftion  of  Jesus  Christ  :  In  the  teftimony 
of  the  Apojlles  :  In  the  miracles  wrought  by  the 
power  of  the  Holy  GHOST,in  confirmation  of  their 
teftimony  :  The  difference  between  thofe  miracles 
and  the  deceivable  miracles-  of  antichrift  :  The  evi- 
dence arifing  from  the  rife,  reigJi,  and  confumpuon  of 
antichrift,  and  that  arifing  from  the  ftate  of  the  yews^ 
according  to  what  Jesus  Christ  faid  concerning 
them,  agreeable  to  the  Prophets  and  Apojlles.  Thefe 
things  being  often  read  in  the  courfe  of  reading  the 
bible,  as  hiftories  of  the  events  that  took  place,  and 
not  as  evidences  of  the  truth  teftificd  of  JesusChrist, 
for  which  they  were  defigned  ;  and  foour  minds  re- 
main at  a  lofs  about  the  evidences  of  the  truth  of  the 
gofpel,  which  is,  I  apprehend,  the  fource  of  much  of 
our  darknefs  and  perplexity.  : 

Herein  I  have  endeavoured  to  keep  clofe  to  the 
fcriptures,  and  to  fpeak  of  thofe  things  in  fcriptufe' 
language,  in  words  that  the  Holy  Ghost  teachcth, 
comparing  fcripture  with  fcripture  :  Such  as  wifti 
patiently  to  fearch  the  fcriptures  to  fee  if  thefe  things 

are 


4     ,    OCCASION  OF  THE  TREATISE. 

are  fo,  may  be  affifted  in  turning  to  many  of  them 
that  may  tend  to  lead  theif  minds  to  the  evidences 
therein  contained.  When  I  had  gone  through  the 
confideration  of  the  evidences  above-mentioned,  the 
importanceof  the  truth  thus  evidenced  being  kept  ir^ 
memor)' ,  (truck  my  mind,  which  occafioned  the  con- 
l^deration  of  many  paflages  to  that  end.  I  have  en- 
deavoured to  keep  as  clofe  to  the  obvious  meaning 
of  the  fcripture,  and  as  free  from  the  traditions  of 
men  as  I  was  able  :  Having  gone  tlirough  ir>  as  brief 
and  plain  a  manner  as  I  am  capable  of,  I  now  devote 
it  to  the  honour  and  glory  of  our  Lord  Redeemer, 
and  to  the  benefit  and  comfort  of  that  part  of  his  purr 
chafed  inheritance  into  whofe  hands  it  may  come. 


o^ 


PEACE 


PEACE  AND  JOY. 


S.ECTION    I. CHAPTER    L 

The  JBIeffings  of  Peac?  between  England  and  Ame-. 

RICA. 

Xn  eyery  piece  of  news  our  minds  are  anxious 
about  the  evidence  of  its  truth,  in  proportion  to  the 
importance  of  it  to  us  ;  And  in  order  to  our  rejoicing, 
\\'ith  full  fatisfa^ion  in  good  news ;  thefe  two  things 
are  neceflary. 

Firft.  That  we  are  fully  fatisfiedof  the  evidence 
qf  its  triith. 

Secondly.  That  we  underftand  the  greatnefs  of 
the  good  therein  contained. 

The  good  tidings  of  peace  we  now  contemplate 
with  joy,  come  to  us  with  the  fulleft  evidence  of  their 
truth  that  can  be  defired,  fo  as  to  leave  no  room  for 
iihe  leaft  doubt  or  hefitation :  It  is  only  requifite  for 
the  fulncfs  of  our  joy,  that  we  underftand  the  great- 
nefs of  this  mercy ;  in  order  to  which  it  would  be 
needful  to  confider  ifl,  what  we  are  hereby  delivered 
from ;  and  2dly,  what  we  are  hereby  put  in  poffeflion 
of. 

CThe  refidue  of  the  firft  chapter  heing  more  peculiar  to  the  time  when  it 
^'as  firft  publiftied,  it  is  here  paffed  overhand  we  proceed  to  chapter  2d,  ] 

CHAP, 


e  PE  AC  E  AND  JOY. 

CHAP.    II. 

The  News  0/ Peace  -with  GOD. 

W  HILE  I  am  fpeaking  of  the  ground  of  re-. 
joicing  in  the  glad  tidings  of  peace,  national  peace,  or 
peace  from  war,  is  there  not  an  anxious  fpot  in  the 
mind  that  is  not  yet  reached  an  obje6lion  to  fulnefs 
of  joy  after  this  manner?  Thefe  things  are  bounded 
by  time  which  is  fwifdy  paffing,  biit  there  is  a  long 
eternity  before  me,  and  my  concern  is  whether  my 
peace  is  made  with  God.  ■ 

If  there  be  any  news  about  that  matter  which  would 
EQake  It  certain,  then,  I  could  rejoice.  'Is  there  any  ? 
Yes,  and  it  is  publifhed  by  an  angel,  Luke  ii.  9  to  14:. 
Jt  is  good  tidings  of  great  joy,  which  fJiall  be  to  all 
Peo-ple  ;  for  unto  you  is  born  in  the  city  o^ David  ^  a 
Saviour  which  is  Christ  the  Lord  ;  on  which  a 
multitude  of  the  heavenly  hoft  appearing  praifing  and 
faying,  glor)' to  Got)  in  the  higheft,  and  on  eaj'th 
peace;  good  will  towards  men;  unto  you:  To  whoi^To 
th-e  fhepherds,  exclufive  of  all  others  ?  Nojitfllall  6e  to 
all  people.  On  earth  peace,  good  will  tow'ards  men  : 
Not  a  corner  of  the  earth,  nor  any  of  the  inhabitants 
finally  excluded  from  it.  If  I  am  on  earth,  no  matter 
what  part  of  it,  there  is  peace  there.  If  I  be  of  the 
race  of  men,  there  is  good  will  to  them.  This  is  a  fhort 
account  of  this  good  news :  But  what  is  contained  in 
it,  unto  you  ;  to  all  people  ?  is  born  in  the  city  of  Da^ 
vid,  the  place  whence  the  fcripture  faith  that  Christ 
fhould  come,  John  vii.  42,  Micah  v.2.  A  Saviour 
-which  is  Ci\\\ ij,T  the  Lord  ;  a  Saviour  appointed 
and  anointed  to  this  ofhce  ;  who  is  alfo  the  Lord, 
having  all  power  in  Heaven  and  earth  ;  able  to  >ac- 
complifh  the  falvation  of  all  people.  He  was  born 
a  Saviour,  Galations  'w.  4.  When  the  Julnejs  oj 
time  was  come^  God  fentjortk  his  So i^^  made  of  a 

woman^ 


PE  A  C  E  AN'D  J  O  Y,  7 

wofnan,  made  under  the  law,  to  redeem  them  that  zoere 
under  th^  law,  that  we  might  receive  the  adopticn  of 
fons^ 

He  lived  a  Saviour,  and  made  it  manifell  by  for* 
giving  fin,  by  healing  diieafes,  by  teftifying  he  came 
not  to  deftroy  mens'  Hves,  but  to  fave  them,  that  the 
world  through  him  might  be  faved. 

He  faves  by  his  holy  life,  in  which  the  law  is  per- 
feftly  obeyed,  even  to  that  precept,  Matt.  v.  48.  Bt 
ye  perfed  as  your  Father  in  Heaven  is  perftEt :  This 
Jesus  fpake  under  the  law  while  that  difpenfatioji 
lafted,  and  it  mufl;  be  to  lead  to  himfelf,  where  alone 
it  could  have  its  fulfilment ;  and  every  fon  and  daugh- 
ter of  Ada^n  muft  defpair  of  attaining  any  other  way 
than  as  they  are  compleat  in  him  in  whom  the  divine 
will  was  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven, 

Again,  he  faves  by  his  death,  by  anfwering  the  pen- 
alty of  the  law  for  the  fms  of  the  people,  1.  Cor.  xv. 
3.  Christ  died  for  oiirjins  according  to  ihefcriptiires ; 
and  the  apoftle  fays,  We  thus  judge,  if  one  died  for  all 
then  all  died  ;  all  being  comprehended  in  the  one,thfi 
head  of  every  man  for  whom  he  tailed  death  :  And 
thus  we  are  faid  to  b^  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death 
of  his  Son. 

Again,  he  faves  by  his  refurredion,  as  that  eviden- 
ces the  truth  of  his  charafterand  the  perfection  of  his 
work  and  facrificc,  and  of  the  perfed  fatisfa6lion 
thereby  made  to  law  and  juftice  ;  fo  that  he  could 
not  be  holden  of  death,  as  he  is  declared,  determined, 
manifefted,  the  Son  of  God  with  power  according  to 
the  fpirit  of  holinefs,  by  the  refurredion  from  the 
dead,  he  being  our  head.  The  fcripture  faith,  he  roft 
again  for  our  juftification.  So  the  apoftle  Ipeaks  of 
the  anfwer  of  a  good  confcience  t'^zvards  God  by  the 
refurreStion  of  Jesus  Christ-:  It  is  God  that  ju/ii- 
fieth,  who  is  he  that  condemnetk  ?  It  is  Christ  thai 
died,  yea  rather  that  has  7'ifen  again  from  the  dead. 

Further, 


8  PEACE  AND  jd  V. 

Further,  be  faves  by  bis  exaltation  arid  interceflidrf^ 
•who  is  at  the  right  hand  o/"God,  who  alfo  viaketh  in- 
ter cejjioji  for  us  :  He  is  able  to  fave  to  tbe  utrrioli 
tbem  that  come  to  God  by  biin,  feeing  he  ever  lives 
to  make  interceffion  for  them,  and  to  them  that  look 
for  him  he  will  appear  the  fecond  time  without  fini 
unto  falvation.  He  told  his  difciples,  I  go  to  prepare 
a  place  for  you  ;  I  will  come  again  and  receive  you  to 
myfelf^  that  where  I  ain  ye  may  be  alfo. 

This  is  a  brief  account  of  our  peace,  being  made 
with  God,  for  he  is  our  peace,  and  he  hath  made  peace 
ly  the  blood  of  his  ctofs.  Now  the  truth  of  this  Uews 
depends  on  the  true  charafter  of  Jesus  Christ.  If 
he  be  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  the*  news  is  all 
true,  the  falvation  is  accomplifliedi 


CHAP.     Hi. 


The  Evidence  of  the  Truth  of  this  News,  from  the 
Scriptures  of  the  Old  Teftament. 

X  HE  inquiry  then  is,  where  is  the  evidence  of 
the  truth  of  this  good  news  ?  The  anfwer  is  in  thoi 
whole  volume  of  the  book  which  is  written  of  him, 
tvhich  would  carry  us  back  to  the  firfl  promife  of  the 
feed  of  the  woman  that  fliould  bruife  the  ferperit's 
Bead.  To  the  promife  to  Abraham,  Gen.  xxii.  18. 
And  in  thy  feed  JJi  all  all  the  families  of  the  earth  hi 
hleffed.  It  would  lead  us  to  his  way,  which  thePfalnt- 
ift  fays  was  made  known  to  Mofes,  his  way  6f  fhewing 
inercy  :  This  was  made  known  to  him  in  Exodus 
Jcxxiv.  6.  Mofes  had  prayed  in  the  preceding  chap* 
ter,  Verfe  13.  Shew  me  now  ihy  loay  that  I  may  know 
ihee^  thai  I  may  find  grdce  in  thy  fight.  Yerfe  iSth, 
And  hefaid^  I  hefeech  theeJJiew  me  thy  glory.  The  an- 
fwer is,  verfe  19,  /  will  make  all  my  ^oodnefs  pafs  bt^ 

fore 


P  E  A  C  E  AND  J  O  Y.  9 

Jon  thee.  In  chap,  xxxiv.  5.  The  Lord  defcendedin 
a  cloud,  andjlood  with  him  there,  and  proclaimed  the 
name  of  the  Lord.  Verfe  6.  And  the  ho kd  pajfed 
by  before  him,  and  proclaimed  the  Lord,  the  Lord 
God  merciful  and  gracious,  long fufj-ering  and  abun- 
dant in  goodncfs  and  truth,  keeping  mercy  for  thou- 
fands,  for  giving  iniquity  and  tranfgreffon  and  fin,  and 
that  will  by  no  means  clear.  How  is  this  name  of  the 
Lord  to  be  made  manifeft  ?  How  is  iniquity,  tranf- 
greffion  and  fm  to  be  forgiven  confident  with  juftice, 
but  with  refpeft  to  the  furety  in  which  juftice  is  fatis- 
fied,  who  was  by  no  means  cleared  until  all  the  di- 
vine attributes  harmonized  in  him,  he  having  paid 
the  utmoft  farthing  ?  Hefpared  not  his  own  fon,  but 
gave  Imn  up  for  us  all.  We  cannot  poffibly  conceive: 
of  peace  and  forgivenefs  ofiniquity,  tranfgreflionand 
Jin,  and  the  guilty  tranfgrefibrs  not  cleared.  The 
•words  the  guilty  are  fupplied  as  we  fee  by  the  diifer- 
tnx.  charafter. 

It  is  added,  Vifiting  the  iniquities  of  the  fathers  up* 
on  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth. 

Under  the  former  difpenfation  there  was  a  remem- 
brance of  fin  every  year  ;  the  priefthood  and  facri-^ 
fice  could  not  take  it  away  ?  The  children  of  Ifrael 
are  afked  what  they  mean  by  ufing  this  proverb.  The 
fathers  have  eaten  four  grapes,  and  the  childrens"  teeth 
arefet  on  edge  ?  Ezekid  xviii.  2.  ^o  Jtremiahxjixu 
29.  In  thoft  days  they  [hall  fay  no  more  the  fathers 
have  eaten  four  grapes  and  the  childrens' teeth  are  fet 
on  edge  ;  but  every  one  fliall  die  for  his  own  iniquity, 
Muft  not  this  have  its  fulfilment  in  him  who  when 
be  Was  lifted  up  from  the  earth,  drew  all  men  unto 
him,  and  talted  death  for  every  man,  and  dying  for  all, 
all  died.  Is  not  this  thought  ftrengthened  by  com- 
paring verfe  34  ?  For  I  will  forgive  their  iniquity^ 
and  I  will  remember  their  fin  no  more  ;  which  refers 
to  the  one  facrilice  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  which  there 
B  is 


lo  PEACE  AMD  JOY. 

is  remiffion  and  no  more  facrifice  for  fin,  as  in  Hf. 
hrews  x.  17,  i8.  And  thus  only  have  we  a  confiftent 
view  of  every  man  dying  for  his  own  iniquity,  and  the 
forgivenefs  of  iniquity,  and  the  remembrance  of  fm 
no  more. 

So  then  the  vifiting  the  iniquities  of  the  fathers  on 
the  children  was  to  continue  until  the  coming  of 
Christ  and  his  perfe6l  facrifice,  in  which  there  was 
remifl^ion,  and  no  more  ofi^ering  for  fin,  no  remem- 
brance of  it  by  repeated  facrifice  as  under  the  law,  it 
being  taken  away  by  the  one  facrifice.  Why  this  is 
called  the  third  and  fourth  is  matter  of  inquiry  ;  but 
this  is  plain,  that  Jesus  Christ  came  under  the  law, 
and  clofed  that  difpenfation,  and  brought  in  the  gof- 
pel  difpenfation. 

Which  gofpel,  or  way  of  fiiewing  mercy  in  con- 
fidence with  juftice  was  made  known  to  Mofes,  as  it 
was  alfo  in  the  paffover  inflitution.  Exodus  xii.  In 
•which  the  unblemifhed  Lamb  was  a  type  of  Jesus 
the  Lamb  without  bJemifii  and  without  fpot,  the  Lamb 
of  God  that  taketh  away  the  fin  of  the  world ;  where- 
in is  pointed  out  what  God  had  refpeft  unto  in  pafling 
over  the  children  of  Ifrad^m  verfes  13,  23.  Anl 
zohen  I  fee  the  blood  I  will  pafs  over  you,  and  when  he 
feeth  the  blood  he  will  pafs  over  the  door,  and  not 
fufFer  the  deftroyer  to  come  in  unto  your  houfes  to 
fmite  ;  leading  us  to  the  price  of  our  redemption,  the 
precious  blood  of  Christ  as  a  Lamb  without  blemifh 
and  without  fpot,  in  which  v.-e  have  the  fulfilment  of 
this  word  of  God. 

This  was  alfo  fhewn  to  Mofes  in  the  brazen  fer-  " 
pent  that  typified  the  lifting  up  the  Son  of  Man, 
that  zuhofoever  believeth  on  him  might  not  peri/h,  but 
have  eternal  life.  And  in  the  various  things  under 
that  difpenfation,  that  had  a  fhadow  of  good  things 
to  come,  which  centring  in  Jesus,  and  having  their 
fulfilment  in  him,  are  fo  many  undeniable  evidences 
of  the  truth  of  the  gofpel,  the  good  news  of  falvation 
by  Jesus  Christ.  The 


PEACE  AND  JOY.  11 

The  like  may  be  faid  oFthe  prophets,  who  all  gave 
witnefs  to  him  ;  fee  IfaiaJi  liii.  3  to  6.     He  is  dejpi. 

fed  and  rejected  of  men  ;  a  man  offorrow  and  acquaint^ 
ed  with  grief :  He  hath  borne  our  griefs  and  carried 
our  farrows  :  He  mas  wounded  for  our  tranfgrefions  : 
He  was  bruifcdfor  our  iniquities ;  the  chaflifement  of 
our  peace  was  upon  him^  and  with  his  ftripes  we  arc 
healed.  All  we^  like  loflfJieep^  have  gone  afray^  and 
turned  everyone  to  his  own  zoay  ;  the  Lord  laid  upon 
him   the  iniqiuty  of  us  all.     Verfe  8.  for  the  tranf- 

greffion  of  my  people  was  he  fnitten. 

Was  he  wounded  for  our  tranfgreflion,  bruifed  for 
our  iniquities,  and  the  chaftifement  of  our  peace  up- 
on him,  and  we  healed  by  his  flripes,  furely  then  ac« 
cording  io  Jer€miahii.yi\\\.6.  This  is  the  name  where- 
by he  fhall  be  called  the  Lord  our  righteoufnefs, 
Ezekiel  alfo  prophetically  proclaims  the  glad  tidings, 
chapter  xxxiv.  29.     And  I  will  raife  up  for  them  a 

plant  of  renoxun^  and  they  fiall  no  more  he  confumeA 
with  hunger  in  the  land  :  Which  is  the  fame  fpoken 
of  by  Ifaiah  in  his  49th  chapter,  from  8  to  10.     They 

Jliall  not  hunger  nor  thirfi^  neither  JJiall  the  heat  or 

fun  fmite  them  ;  for  he  that  hath  mercy  on  themfJiall 
lead  them  ;  even  by  the  fprings  of  water  fliall  he  guide 
them  :  Which  is  explained,  John  vi.  35.  And  }e- 
sus  faid  unto  them,  I  am  the  bread  of  life,  he  that 
Cometh  to  me  fhall  never  hunger^  and  he  that  believeth 
en  me  fliall  never  thirjl. 

When  Daniel  was  fpeaking  and  praying,  and  con- 
feffing  his  fin  and  making  fupplication,  he  is  inform- 
ed by  the  angel  Gabriel,  that  feventy  weeks  were  de- 
ternpined  to  fini/Ji  tranfgreffion  and  make  an  end  of  fn. 
This  could  not  be  done  under  the  Mofaick  difpenfa- 
tion,  where  the  priefts  ftood  daily  offering  oftentimes 
thofefacrifices  which  only  broughtfmto  remembrance, 
and  could  not  take  it  away  :  But  this  was  to  finifh 
and  make  an  end  of  it,  and  to  make  reconciliation  for 

iniquity 


12  PEACE  AND  JOY. 

iniquity f  and  to  bring  in  everla fling  righteoufncfs.  AU 
typical  legal  rigbteournefs  was  in  its  ov/n  nature  tran- 
fitory,  only  pointing  to  this,  and  muil  fade  as  a  leaf 
■when  its  antitype  is  made  manifeft,  and  everlafting 
righteoufnefs  brought  in. 

And  to  fral  up  the  vijion,  and  the  prophecy^  and  to 
anoint  the  Most  Holy. 

The  fealing  up  the  vifion  and  the  prophecy  leads  to 
the  completion  of  it,  as  when  any  writing  is  to  be  fea- 
led,  care  is  taken  that  it  is  completely  finiflied.  This 
vifion  and  prophecy,  or  what  was  revealed  to  and  de- 
livered by  the  prophets,  had  its  completion  in  the 
anointing  of  the  Most  Holy. 

To  whom  all  the  prophets  gave  witnefs,  and  who  is 
brought  in  by  the  prophet  Hojea,  chapter  xiii.  9,  fay- 
ing, 0  Jfrael,  thou  hajl  dejlroyed  thyjelf^  hut  in  me  is 
thy  help.  V.  14.  I  will  heal  their  hack  Jhdings  ;  I  will 
ranjom  thee  from  the  power  of  the  grave  ;  /  will  re- 
deem thee  from  death.  And  ch.  xiv.  4.  I  will  love 
them  freely  ;  for  my  anger  is  turned  away  from  him. 
This  is  good  news,  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  ;  of  which 
Joel  alfo  fpeaks,  cii.  iii.  24.  for  I  will  cleanfe  their 
blood  that  I  have  not  cleanfed  ;  for  the  Lord  dwelleth, 
in  Zion. 

And  although  Amo5  was  called  to  prophecy  of  the 
various  judgments,  the  defolations  and  deftruclions 
that  were  to  come  on  Syria,  the  Phihflines,  Tyrus^ 
£do7n,  the  children  of  Ar/inion  and  Moab,  with  jfii-' 
dah  and  the  kingdom  of  Ifrael,  or  the  ten  tribes,  of 
whofe  utter  deftruftion,  as  a  kingdom  he  prophecyr 
eth  :  Yet  he  tells  us,  ch.  ix.  v.  it.  In  that  day,  or 
as  the  apoflle  expreffes  it,  after  this  zuill  I  return  and 
raife  up  the  tabernacle  of  David  that  is  fallen,  and 
clofe  up  the  breaches  thereof,  that  they  may  poffef  the 
remnant  of  Edom,  and  of  all  the  heathen  that  an 
called  by  my  name,  faith  the  Lord. 

All  the  heathen  are  called  by  my  name.  Yes,  and 
blefled  be  his  name,  with  Amen,  ecchoing  from  the 

utmoft 


PEACE  AWD  JOY.  13 

■Utmofl  ends  of  the  eartli :  In  Christ  Jksus  is  this 
prophecy  fulPlled ;  this  tabernacle,  of  David  ruifed 
lip  ;  that  as  James  expreffes  it,  the  rcfidue  of  men 
niight  feek  the  Lord,  and  all  the  glntijles  upon 
whom  my  name  is  called,  faith  the  Lord,  that  doeth 
all  thefe  things. 

It  would  draw  me  to  too  great  length  to  mention 
the  other  prophets,  which  write  iri  their  prophecies  of 
Jesus,  to  whom  they   all  gave  witnefs,  as   fo  many 
undeniable  evidences  of  the  truth  of  the  news  of  fal- 
vation  by  Jesus  Christ.     The  exhortation  in  Ifa, 
xli.  27,  may  be  here  introduced  :  Behold^  behold  ihcm, 
and  I  zvill  ^ft;e  ?m^o  Jerufalem,    one   that  bringeth 
good  tidings ;  even  good  tidings  of  great  joy,  which 
Uiall  be  to  a,ll  people.     If  we  pafs   from  the  Law  of 
Mofis  and  the  prophets  to  the    Pfalms,  diey  are  con- 
cerning him  J  and  we   fee  not  the  meaning  of  them 
until  we  fee  them  center  in  him,  and  teftify  of  him. 
The  perfe6l  charafter  of  the    blessed    maiV  in  the 
id,  14th  and  2i{i  PfalmsS^  nowhere  to  be  found  but 
in  ChristJesus  :  The  many  prayers  that  are  made 
in  the  various  Pfalms  where  uprightnefs  and  love  to 
the  divine  precepts,  teftimonies,  commandments,  &c. 
are  pleaded  as  the  ground  of  .being*  heard,  belong  to 
none  but  Jesus,  who  ever  did  the  things  that  pleafed 
the   Father    j  and   are   the    prayers,   fupplication, 
ftrong  crying,  with  tears  to  him  that  was  able  to  fave 
him  from  death,  that  he  offered  in  the   days   of  his 
flefh,  and  was  heard  for  his  piety  j  that  thefe  were  his 
prayers,  we  have  a  fpecimen  in  his  uttering  the  i{t  v, 
pf  the  xxiid  PJalm  on  the  crofs ;  the  other  part  of  the 
Pfalm  was  as  undoubtedly  a  prophetical    defcription 
of  the  prayers  of  the  Messiah,  as  that  though  it  was 
not  vocally  exprefled.  The  affurance  of  being  heard, 
and  the  happy  fruitsof  his  fuffcrings,  expreffcd  from 
the  21ft  V.  to  the  end  of  the  Pfahi,  bring  to  view  that 
expveffion,  Fath  er,  /  ihank  thee,  that  thou  hajl  heard 
rne^  a^iid  J  know  that  thou  hearejl  me  always.  If 


14  P  E  A  C  £  AND  J  O  Y. 

If  we  call:  our  eye  on  the  i8th  PJalm^  where  the 
Prophet  brings  in  the  Messiah  under  the  forrows, 
the  fnares  of  death  and  the  forrows  of  hell,  in  diftrefs 
Ccilijng  upon  the  Lord,  and  crying  to  his  God  :  1th 
iiddedy  he  heard  my  voice  out  of  his  teTiiple^  and  my 
cry  came  before  him  inlo  his  ears.  The  following  moft 
majeftick  defcription  would  lead  to  the  anfwer  of  the 
prayers  of  Jesus  on  the  crofs,  in  the  earthquake: 
Then  the  earth  Jlwok  and  trembled,  the  foundations 
of  the  hilhmoved  and  was  fiaken  becaufe  he  was  wroth* 
The  darknefs  that  was  under  his  feet  would  lead  to 
the  darknefs  that  was  over  all  the  earth  :  He  made 
darknefs  his  pavillion^  round  about  dark  waters  and 
thick  clouds  of  theftiy. 

Verfe  16  and  on.  He  fent  from  above,  he  took 
me,  he  drew  me  out  of  many  waters,  he  delivered  me 
from  my  ftrong  enemy,  and  from  them  that  hated  me. 
Though  they  appeared  to  the  view  of  the  world  too 
ftrong  for  me,  he  brought  me  forth  into  a  large  place, 
he  delivered  me,  becaufe  he  delighted  in  me,  hecanfe 
in  me  he  zuas  well pleafed.  This  deliverance  leads  our 
minds  to  his  refurrection  from  the  dead.  The  Lord 
reivarded  me  according  to  my  righteoufnefs,  according 
io  the  cleannefs  of  my  hands  hafh  he  recompenfcd  me  ; 
for  I  have  kept  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and  have  not 
wickedly  departed  from  my  God  ;  for  all  his  judg- 
ments were  before  me,  and  I  did  not  put  away  hisflat- 
iitcs  from  vie  :  J  zcas  alfo  upright  before  him,  and  kept 
myf elf  from  mine  iniquity  ;  therefore  hath  the  Lord 
recompenfed  me  according  to  my  righteoufnefs,  accord^ 
ing  to  the  cleannefs  of  my  hands  in  his  eye  fight.  Now 
when  w'e  view  David  in  the  Pfalms  fpeaking  of  him- 
felf,  wx  are  led  to  blunder  in  the  dark  after  creature 
righteoufnefs,  and  wifh  to  be  as  good  as  David,  that 
•\ve  may  pray,  as  he  did  ;  and  hope  we  are  fmcerely 
defirous  of  it,  &c.  So  to  compafs  ourfelves  about 
with  fparks  of  our  own  kindling,  which  will  be  for- 
ever 


PEACE  AND  J  OY.  15 

ever  difappointing,  but  when  we  fee  liim  teftifying  of 
Jesus,  we  find  a  righteoufnefs  that  is  perfe61,  that  is 
fafe  to  truft  and  be  found  in  :  for  with  him  who  per- 
fcftly  fulfilled, the  law  andenduredthe  curfe  in  mercy 
to  us  with  him  who  is  the  merciful  thou  wiltJJiew  thy^ 
felf  merciful ;  with  this  upright  man  thou  wilt  Jhtxa 
thyfelf  upright  ;  with  \\)\s  pure^  this  Holy  One  thou 
•wilt  flew  thyftlf  pure.^  while  thou  wil^contend  with  the 
perverfe  that  jflight  this'  perfeft  righteoufnefs,  and  go 
about  to  eftciblifli  their  own  :  For  thou,  wilt  fave  the 
ajJliBed  people  through  the  divine  righteoufnefs,  that 
are  altogether  deflitute  ofrighteoufnefs  inthemlelves, 
hat  wilt  bring  down  high  looks.  Surely  he  fcorneth 
the  fcorner,  he  refifleth  the  proud  ;  the  loftinefs  of 
man  fhall  be  bowed  down,  and  the  hautinefs  of  man 
fliall  be  made  low,  and  the  Lord  alone  fhall  be  ex- 
alted. In  that  day,  according  as  it  is  written,  let  Itim 
that  glorieth  glory  in  the  Lord.  But  to  confider  the 
good  news  of  Iklvation  by  Jesus  Christ  from  the 
Pjalms^  would  open  too  l^gc  a  field  for  the  prefent 
dcfign  ;  if  what  has  been  brought  to  view  may  be  an 
help  to  open  this  field,  to  walk  in  at  our  leilurc,  a 
good  end  may  be  anfwered. 


CHAP.    IV. 
The  Evidences  of  this  Truth fro^n  the  New-Teftament. 

If  we  turn  over  to  the  New-Teftament,  the 
evidences  multiply  upon  us  from  the  birth,  life, death 
and  refurredion  of  Jesus,  from  the  teftimony  of  the 
apoftles,  from  the  prophecy  of  the  rife  and  reign,  con- 
lamption  and  deftruftion  of  antichrift,  from  the  (late 
of  the  Jews^  agreeable  to  the  prophecy  of  Christ 
and  the  apoftles'  teftimony  concerning  them, 

PART 


i6  PEACE  AND  JO  Y. 

PART    I. 

OJ  the  Birih^  Life-,  Death  and  RefurreBion  of  Jesus 

Christ. 

A  O  begin  with  his  birth.  When  an  inquiry 
is  made  for  the  place  for  the  Lord,  an  habitation  fof 
the  Mighty  Of  e  o£ Jacob,  it  is  faid,  Pfalm  cxxxil. 
6.  ZV),  u:e  heard  of  it^  at  Ephrata,  when  this  habita- 
tion is  found  for  the  Lord.  It  is  added,  v.  y.  We  mil 
go  into  his  tabernacle,  zve  will  worfiip  at  kjs  footflool. 
The  prophet  Micah  foretells  the  place  of  his  birth, 
chap.  V.  2.  And  thou  Bethlehem  Ephrata,  thou  art  lit- 
tle among  the  thovfands  of  Judah  ;  *  out  of  thee f halt 
he  come  forth  unto  me,  thatfnall  be  the  Ruler  in  If 
rael,  whofc  goings  forth  have  been  from  the  beginnings 
even  from  the  days  of  eternity.  The  evangelift  Mat, 
ch.  ii.  1,  gives  an  account  that  Jesus  was  born  in 
Bethlehem,  of  Judah,  in  the  days  of  Herod  the  king^ 
who  upon  hearing  of  his  being  born  king  of  the  fews^ 
he  gathered  the  chief  priefts  and  fcribes  of  the  people 
together,and  demanded  of  them  where  Christ  fhould 
be  born  ?  as  being  fatished  that  that  event  v/as  fore- 
told :  They  faid  unto  him,  in  Bethlehem,  of  Judah, 
and  quoted  the  prophecy  of  Aiicah  juil  mentioned. 

Poor  deceived,  miflakcn  i/eroif,  fuppofmg  Jesus 
Christ  to  be  a  temporal  prince,  feared  himfelf  in 
danger,  (alas,  in  danger  from  the  Saviour,  from  him 
who  came  not  to  deftroy  mens'  lives  but  to  fave  them) 
and  fought  the  young  child's  life,  which  occafioned 
the  being  fent  to  Egypt  for  the  fulfilment  of  the  pro, 
phecy  ;  out  of  Egypt  I  have  called  my  fun.  Upon 
his  return  from  Egypt,  J^fph  Was  afraid  of  king  Ar- 
chcIuS)  who  reigned  in  the  room  of  his  father  Herod, 

fo 

*  It  is  faid  the  Jctosy  the  dunj^hter  of  troops,  divided  their  country,, 
fo   tluitfor   every  thoufand  iheie  was  a  Chief  Captain  ;  and  becaufc 
Bethlehem   was  not  able  to  make    up  a  thouland,  the  prophet  calleth  it 
little,  but  God  would  raife  up  Ifrad's  Ruler  therein. 


PEACE  AND  J  O  Yi  17 

fo  did  not  return  to  Judca^  but  turned  afidc  into  the 
parts  of  Galiilee,  and  came  and  dwelt  in  the  city 
caMcd  Nazareth^  that  it  might  ht  fulfilled  that  was 
fpokcn  of  by  the  prophets,  hejliall  be  called  a  Naza- 
reen  :  As  the  prophets  in  the  plural  number  are  here 
fpoken  of,  and  I  have  not  been  able  to  turn  to  any 
of  them,  in  which  this  is  particularly  exprefled,  it  has 
cxcrcifed  my  mind  in  way  of  mquiry,  and  that 
which  appegrs  moft  likely,  is,  that  it  was  what  was 
teftificd  by  the  prophets  concerning  Jesus,  in  other 
cxpreiTions  that  denote  the  fame  thing. 

Now  when  I  confidcr  that  the  holinefs  of  the  Na- 
zarites  under  the  law  was  only  typical,  and  could  not 
make  the  Nazarites  perfect,  as  pertaining  to  the  con- 
fcience,  but  they  mufl  offer  their  fin-offering  when  the 
days  of  their  feparation  were  fulfilled,  A'w.m.  vi.13.14. 
Though  all  the  days  of  their  feparation  they  were 
called  holy  unto  the  Lord,  I  look  for  this  holinefs 
thus  typified;  in  him  of  whom  it  isfaid,hefhallbecalled 
a  Nazareen.  In  him  alone  can  I  view  that  inimitably 
grand, majeftick  defcription  of  her  Aaz£zn^fj,wehavc 
in  Lam.  iv.  7  :  Htr  Nazarites  were  purer  than fnow  ; 
they  were  whiter  than  milk  ;  they  were  more  ruddy  in 
body  than  rubies  ;  their  polijhing  of  Japphire.  This 
w'as  what  their  holinefs,  all  the  daj^s  of  their  fepa- 
ration, pointed  to,  which  dwelt  in  perfection  in  Jesus 
the  Holy  One.  When  we  confider  Sampfon,  who 
was  a  type  of  him,  a  Nazarite  from  the  womb,  as  the 
angel  told  Manoah's  wife,  Judges  xiii.  5.  She  added, 
when  file  told  her  hufband  in  v.  7.  'till  the  day  of  his 
death  ;  but  this  might  not  be,  no  perfeftion  was  to  be 
found  in  the  typical  Nazarites,  that  was  referved  to 
the  antitype. 

Now  confidcring  thcfe  things,  if  what  is  faid  of  the 
Nazarites  referred  only  to  themfelves,  thofe  fc rip- 
lures  would  be  of  private  interpretation  ;  but  we  are 
told  no  fcripture  is    fo,  therefore  they  muft  point  to 

C  Jesus 


Jesus  who  is  the  public  interpretation  of  them  :  Scf 
'^V'hat  is  fpokeil  of  them  is  fulfilled  in  his  being  called 
s.  Nazareen;3.nd  as  the  A^^z^rzVes'holinefs, pointed  to 
hivs  perfeft  holinefs  fo  the  multitude  of  texts  where  h6 
isfpoken  of  as  the  Holy  One,  all  point  to  him.  In 
this  charafter,  the  purer  than  fnow,  the  ^Yhiter  than 
irnilk',  the  more  ruddy  than  rubies,  whofe  polifhing  is 
f)f  fapphire,the  iV(7Zfl;r//?indeed,  in  whom  is  no  biem- 
jffi;  tlvisis  the  moft  fatisfying  view  I  can  atprefcnt 
take  of  that  paflage,  that  it  might  be  fulfilled  that  was 
fpoken  of  by  the  prophets,  he  ihall  be  called  a  Naza- 
reen. 

If  we  take  notice  of  the  life  of  Jesus,  we  Jhall  find 
the  prophefics  fulfilled  herein  as  fo  many  evidences 
of  the  truth  under  confideration.  The  pfalmift,  in 
the  ciiid  pfalm,  bleffeth  the  Lord  -who  forgivelh  all 
thy  iniqui'hei,  %}ho  healeth  all  thy  d  if  cafes.  That  Jesus 
>s  the  Lord  is  evidenced  in  his  pronouncing  to  the 
fick  of  the  J>alfy,  fon  be  of  good  cheer,  thy  fins  be  for- 
given thee.  To  prov6  himfelf  the  Lord  Wat  for- 
gave iniquity,  he  healed  the  man  with  his  word,  as 
we  fee  Matt.  ix.  begining,   Mark  ii.  3. 

When  thedifciples  q{  John  were  fent  to  inquire, if 
he  were  thetrueMEssi  ah,  Lxikcvix.  2  i,m  the  fame  hour 
he  curedviany  of  infrmities^  and  plagues^  and  of  evil 
fpirits;  audio  many  that  tvei-cHiiid  he  gave  fight  ^  and 
gave  them  this  as  an  <m{v:Q.x:  to  J ohn.,ihe  blind  fee,ihe 
lame  walk ^  the  lepers  are  cleanftd^  the  deaf  hear,  the 
dead  are  raifed^  to  the  poor  the  gofpel  is  preached,  as 
if  he  had  (aid,  tell  John  the  things  you  hear  and  fee, 
and  let  him  compare  them  with  the  prophefics  of 
the  Old-Teftament  concerning  the  Messiah,  and 
eollcB.  the  anfwer  to  his  inquiry. 

The  blind  fee  ;  Pfalm  cxlvi.  8.  The  Lord 
openeth  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  Ifaiah  xxix.  18.  And 
the  eyes  of  the  blind  fhall  fee  out  of  obfciirity  and  out 
of  darknefs.  Jfa.  xlii,  6.  7.  And  I  will  keep  thee  and 

give 


PEACE  AND  JOY.  .        19 

give  thee  for  a  covenant  of  the  people^  to  open  the  blind 
eyes^  Ifa.  xxxv.  5.   Then  the  eyes  of  the  blind  fi all  he 
opened.  Ifa.  xUi,  16.     And  I  vjill  bring  the  blind  by 
a  zoay  which  they  knew   not  ;   /  ivill  make  darknef 
light  before  them.,  and  CT^oked  things  freight  ;   Theje 
things  will  I  do  unto   them,  and  not  fo? fake  them. — 
Thus  the  raanv  that  were   blind,  to  whom  he  gave 
fight  while  John's  meffengers  tarried,   appeared  as 
fo  many  evidences  of  his  being  the  true   Messiah, 
prophefied  of  by  the  prophets  :   So  do  the  two  blind 
men  whofe  eyes  were  opened,  recorded  in  Matt,  ix, 
from  the  2 7th  v.     and  the  blind  man  that  was  reftor- 
ed  and  faw  every  man  clearly,  Mark  viii.  from  23d 
to  25th  V.     With  blind   Bdrtimeus  the  beggar,  who 
received  his  fight  and   followed  Jesus  in  the  way, 
Mark  X.  from  46  to  52  ;  and  the  other  beggar^man, 
who  was  blind  from  his  birth,    of  purpofe  that  the 
works  of  God  might  be  made  manifef  in  him.,  that  he 
fliould  be  an  evidence  of  the  truth  of  the  charafter 
of  Jesus  Christ,  as  a  means  made  ufe  of  to  bring 
others  to  believe  in  him  ;  for  this  is  the  workof  God, 
that  ye  believe  on  him  whom  he  hath  fent.     If  we 
confiderthefe  as  not  only    refto red  to  their   bodily 
fight,  but  having  the  light  of  the  knowledge   of  the 
glory  of  God,  in  the  face   of  |esus   Christ,   wor- 
fliipping  him, calling  him  Lord, following  him  in  the 
way,  the   evidence  will  increafe   upon  us  ;  and    we 
fliall  fee  the  following  charafter  exemplified  fpiritu- 
ally  as  well  as   literally,  the  lame    walk.     Thofe 
ignorant  and  incapacitated  to  go  one  flep  of  the  way, 
having  received  fight,  foHow   Jesus    in   the  way,  as 
well  as  thofe  literally  lame,  who   when  we   iee  them 
coming  to  Jesus  in  the  temple,  and  being  brought 
to  him  in  other  places,   and   healed  by  him,    are  wc 
not  conllrained  to  join  with    the  multitude  in    Matt. 
XV.  31,  who  wondered  when  they  faw  the  dumb  f peak ^ 
the  maimed  to  be  whole,  the  lame  to  walk,  and  the  blind 
to  fee  ?  And  they  glorified  the  God  offfracl.      And 

d.Q 


20  PE  A  C  E  AND  J  O  Y. 

do  we  not  fee, //"^z/^,^,  XXXV.  6.  Then  fiali  the  lame 
leap  as  an  hart,  fulfilled  in  |esus  caufing  die  lame  to 
walk?  See  die  man  lame  from,  his  mother's  womb, 
leaping  and  walking  and  praifivg  God,  ABs  iii.  B. 

The  lepers  are  cleanfed.— Under  the  law  there 
were  directions  to  the  prieft  to  difcover  the  leprofy 
and  put  the  leper  out  of  the  camp,  and  fhut  him  up, 
&c.  but  no  means  direfted  to,  for  the  healing  of  it, 
that  was  the  work  of  God. 

Even  when  king  Uzziah  was  fmitten  widi  leprofy, 
he  continued  fo  to  the  day  of  his  death,  and  dwelt  in 
a  feveral  houfe  ;  the  wealth  of  his  kingdom  could  nqt 
procure  him  healing  or  inlargement. 

When  the  King  of  Syria  fent  to  the  king  of  Ifrael 
to  recover  Naaman  of  his  leproly,  no  wonder  that  the 
king  of //r(2f/ wasfo  ftruck  as  to  rend  his  cloaths  and 
fay,  am  I  a  God,  to  kill  and  make  alive  !  That  this 
man  doth  fend  to  me  to  recover  a  m-^n  of  his  le- 
profy. 

But  behold  !  when  Jesus  came  down  from  the 
mountain,  among  the  multitude  that  followed  him, 
there  came  a  leper  and  wor/Jupped  him^Jaying^  Lord 
if  thou -wilt  y  thou  canjl  make  me  clean  ;  and  Jesus 
put  forth  his  hand  and  touched  him,  and  f aid,  I  will, 
be  thou  clean,  and  immediately  his  leprofy  was  cLtanfed. 
This  was  done  under  the  law  difpenfation  ;  fo  Jesus 
faith  to  him,  fee  thcu  tell  no  7nan,  but  go  thy  way^ 
Jliew  thyfelf  to  the  priejl,  and  offer  the  gift  that  Mofes 
comma7ided  for  aiejiimony  unto  them.  Though  the 
prieft  could  do  nothing  towards  cleanfing  the  leper, 
yet  he  was  directed  when  to  pronounce  him  clean  ; 
and  when  he  was  obliged  to  pronounce  one  clean 
that  Jesus  had  healed  by  his  word,  it  was  an  evidence 
untQ  them  of  this  truth,  that  Jesus  was  the  Christ, 
the  Kue  Messiah.  E,v&n  Naaman  xh^  Syrian,  when 
healed,  of  his  leprofy,  acknowledges  the  God  oi  Ifrael 
to  be  the  one -only  living  and  true  God,  2  Kings,  v, 
J5.  Behold^  now  I  know  that  there  is  no  God  in  all 

the 


PEACE  AND  JOY.  fi 

the  earth  but  in  Ijracl :  So  then  when  Jksus  faid  to 
the  leper  with  immediate  fuccefs,  I  will,  be  thou  clean, 
it  was  a  tellimony  unto  them,  that  the  God  that  could 
kill  and  make  alive,  and  recover  a  man  of  his  lepro- 
fy,  was  manifert  in  the  flefh,  in  Jesus  oi  Nazareth^ 
that  Jesus  was  the  true  Messiah,  he  that  fliould 
come  ;  and  John  would  know  when  the  lepers  were 
clean  fed  ;  he  need  not  look  for  another  ;  efpecially 
whenhcunderftood  him  to  heal  with  a  w^ord  without 
hefuation  :  Even  when  ten  of  them  joined  their  voi- 
ces in  Jesus,  mafter  have  mercy  on  us,  he  only  fays, 
go  fhew  yourfelves  to  the  prieft;  and  as  they  went 
they  were  cleaned. 

The  deaf  hear.  The  prophet  Ifaiah  fays,  chap, 
xxix.  1 8.  In  thctt  dayjhall  the  deaf  hear  the  words  of 
the  book  ;  and  xxxv.  5.  The  ears  of  the  deafJJiall  be 
unjlopped.  In  Mark'Y\\.  from  32  to  37,  Jesus  ma- 
nifelhhimfelf  the  true  Messiah,  by  healing  the  deaf 
and  dumb,  to  theaftqnifhmentof  beholders,  v/ho  ac- 
knowledge he  hath  done  all  things  well:  Hemakcththa 
deaf  to  hear  and  the  dumb  to  fpeak. 

The  dead  are  raifed  up.  Jesus  raifin,^  the  widow's 
fon  from  the  deadj  Xz(i^  yii.  12,  caufed  the  much 
people  that  were  prefent  at  ihe  young  man's  funeral 
to  glorify  God,  and  gave  occafionto  JoJinlo  fend  his 
difciplcs  to  him  :  He  likewife  manifeiled  himfclf  in 
calling  Lazarus  out  of  his  grave,  on  which  many  of 
the  Jews,  believed  on  him. 

And  to  the  poor  the  Gofjpel  is  preached.  This  paf- 
fage  contains  ample  macter  to  fill  the  mind  with  admi- 
ration, at  the  exceeding  riches  of  divine  grace^  con- 
tained therein.  Oftentimes  poverty  of  fpirit  islook- 
od  upon  as  a  qualification,  or  good  difpofition,  wrought 
in,  or  attained  by,  religious  people,  as  that  which  dif- 
tingui  flies  them  as  objefts  of  the  divine  favour,  to 
the  exclufion  of  the  deftitute  and  worthlefs  among  the 
children  of  men  ;  and  there  is  nothing  more  natural 

to 


32  PEACE    AND    JOY. 

to  us  than  to  admire  ourfelves  for  forrje  fuch  fuppofe^ 
attainment,  to  the  defpiling  of  others.  When  Jesu^ 
brought  this  pafiage  to  the  view  of  his  hearcjs,  in  the 
4th  of  Zwif,  where  it  is  written,  the  fpirit  of  the  Loro 
is  upon  me,  becaufe  he  hath  annointed  me  to  preach 
the  gojpel  to  thepoor^  8ic.  and  faid  unto  them,  this  day 
is  this  fcripture  fulfilled  in  your  ears  :  They  all  bear 
him  witnefs,  and  wondered  at  the  gracious  word,s 
which  proceeded  out  of  his  mouth  ;  iindoubtedly 
imagininj:^  it  had  a  particular  direction  to  them,  as 
thus  qualified,  as  well  as  that  they  had  a  claim  upou 
him  as  their  countryman,  he  Ihewed  them  from  the 
fcriptures  of  the  old  teftament,  that  the  widows  of 
JJrael  were  pafled  by,  and  Ellas  fent  to  Serepta  of 
Sidon,  to  adefpifed  Gentile,dLVfom3.n  that  wasawidow; 
and  though  many  lepers  were  in  Ifrael  in  the  days  of 
the  prophet,  yet  none  of  them  were  cleanfed,  faving 
Naaman  the  Syrian;  which  foon  evidenced  their  def- 
titution  of  poverty  of  fpirit,  by  their  being  filled  with 
wrath,  highly  offended  at  the  afpe6i  of  the  gofpel  to- 
ward the  deftitute. 

To  the  poor  the  gofpel  is  preached.  What  do  we 
underftand  by  gofpel  ?  It  is  good  news,  glad  tidings^. 

The  poverty,  diftrefs  and  perplexity  of  mankind  is 
about  acceptance  with  God,  and  it  is  natural  to  us  all 
to  look  for  it  in  a  way  of  eftablilhing  our  own  righte- 
oufnefs,  which  is  ever  accompanied  with  diftrefs  and 
perplexity,  as  inadequate  to  fatisfy  juftice,  or  give 
peace  of  confcience  ;  and  the  diftreffing  inquiry, 
v/hat  lack  I  yet  ?  dwells  upon  the  mind  that  is  con- 
fcious  of  inability  of  doing  any  thing  that  can  fatisfy 
juftice,  or  atone  for  paft  tranfgreffions  :  But  the  goi- 
pel  brings  glad  tidings  of  peace  by  Jesus  Chrjst, 
the  Mediator  of  God  and  man,  the  end  of  the  law 
forrighteoufnefs  ;  in  whom  alone  we  are  made  ac- 
cepted :  His  righteoufnefs  being  perfeft  and  the  fole 
ground  of  acceptance,  no  one  can  ever  look  for  ac- 

ceptancs 


P  KACE  AMD  JOY.  23 

cepiance  by  virtue  of  any  other  rightcoufners,  without 
finking  difappointment,  be  his  characier  ever  fo  fair 
in  the  eyes  of  men,  or  in  his  own  apprchenfions. 

Neither  can  any  one  ever  fo  vile  look  for  accep- 
tance folely  from  this  quarter  and  be  difappointed, 
Ijaiah  xxviii.  16. 1  Ptt.  ii.  6.  He  that  bdieveth  /hall 
not  make  hafle  :  He  that  belicvcth  mi  hivijhalinot  he 
confounded  :  Shame  and  confufion  belongs  to  thofe 
\\rho  make  lies  their  refuge,  and  hide  themfelves  un- 
der falfhood  :  For  the  hail  fhall  fweep  away  the  re- 
fuge of  lies,  and  the  waters  fhall  overflow  the  hiding- 
place  ;  which  muft  bring  on  hafte  and  confufion  of 
mind  when  the  refuge  and  hiding-place  fails,  which 
thofe  who  believe  the  gofpel  report  fhall  not  be  fub- 
je6l  to;  for,  Rom.  ix.  33.  Whofoever  believtth  on-hcTn, 
JJiall  not  be  ajliamed. 

The  gofpel  brings  the  fure  and  everlafting  founda- 
tion to  view,  in  the  perfed  charafter  and  finiflied 
Work  of  Jesus  Christ.  'Tis  good  news,  glad  tid- 
ings to  the  defhitute  children  of  men  :  Let  John 
judge  if  it  can  come  from  any  but  the  true  Messi  Air, 
he  that  fhould  come,  Sz.z. 

To  the  inquiry,  why  ^o;^?z,  who  before  this  bare 
witnefs  of  him,  fliould  nqw  fend  to  afk  this  queftion^ 
whether  for  the  CGnfimnation  of  his  own  faith,  or  thd 
faiisfaftion  of  his  difciples,  it  may  be  faid,  it  appears 
likely  he  might  have  himfelf  and  them  both  in  view  j 
for  both  the)'  and  he  might  be  (tumbled  to  fee  that  he 
was  left  confined  in  prifon,  while  Jesus,  to  whom  he 
bare  teftimony  as  the  true  Messiah,  did  not  relieve 
him  ;  Jesus  lets  him  know  he  was  about  the  work  the 
Messiah  was  to  do,  and  the  blefibdnefs  he  was  to 
look  for  was  not  a  temporal  deliverance  from  his  con- 
finement, but  in  not  being  offended  in  him. 

As  Johri^  teftimony  hath  been  mentioned,  it  may 
be  needful  to  attend  to  it  as  an  evidence  of  the  truth 
before  us ;  for  as  the  prophet  prophefied  of  yohn  as 

the 


R4  PEACE  AND  J  O  y, 

the  forerunner  of  the  true  Messiah,  (as  the  voice  of 
hiih  that  crieth  in  tJic  wildernefs^  prepare  ye  the  way  of 
the  Lord,  make  jlrdight  in  the  dcjtrt  a  high-u'ay  for 
our  God  :  Every  valley /Ji all  be  exalted.,  and  every 
mountain  and  hdlfliall  he  made  lo-w^  and  the  crooked 
JJiall  he  made  ftraight^and  the  rough  places  plain  ;  and 
the  glory  of  the  Lord  fliall  he  revealed,  and  all  fejii 
fiallfee  together,  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath 
fpoken,  ifaiah  xl.  3,  4,  5.  Behold  I  will  fend  you  Elias 
the  prophet  before  the  cor/iing  of  the  great  and  dread- 
ful day  of  the  Lord,  Malachi  iv.  5.  This  event  muft 
take  place  :  So  the  difciples  when  they  had  a  view 
of  his  glory  on  the  mount  of  transfiguration,and  heard 
the  voice,  this  is  rny  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am 
well  pleafed,  afked  this  queftion,  why  fay  the  fcribes 
that  Elias  muft  firft  come  ?  Jesus  anfwered  and  told 
them,  Elias  verily  cometh  firft.  Elias  is  come  already, 
and  they  have  done  to  him  whatfocver  they  lifted  : 
(They  had  beheaded  John  in  prifon)  likev;ife 
fhall  alfo  the  fon  of  man  fuffer  of  them.  Then  the 
difciples  underftood  that  he  fpake  to  them  of  John 
the  Baptift,  of  whom  M(7//A6zt;  fays,  this  is  he  that 
was  fpoken  of  by  the  prophet  Efais,  faying,  prepare  ye 
the  way  of  the  Lord,  make  his  paths  firaight.  Perr 
haps  we  have  the  reafon  of  his  being,  called  Elias,  in 
Luke  i.  17.  And  he,  i.  e.  John,{h^\\  go  before  him  ; 
i.  e.  Jesus  in  the  fpirit  and  power  of  Elias,  and  fhall 
turn  the  hearts  of  the  fathers  to  the  children.  Sec. 

The  fpirit  and  power  of  Elias  was  manifefted  in 
bringing  the  idolatrous  7/?- fl:e///6:5  to  acknowledge  Je- 
hovah is  God,  1  Kings,  18,  21  to  29.  jchnih^ 
baptift  comes  in  the  fame  fpirit  to  turn  the  dilbbedient 
to  the  wifdom  of  the  juft,  and  make  ready  a  people 
prepared  for  the  Lord.  John  calls  them  off  from 
every  error,  to  view  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  that  was 
to  be  revealed  in  the  Messiah  that  fliould  come  af- 
ter him,  and  be  preferred  before  him,  until  he  comes 

to 


PEACE  AJs'D  JOY.  is 

to  know  him.  Says  he,  /  knew  him  not,  but  that  he 
Jhoidd  be  made  mar.ifeji  to  Ifrael  :  At  his  baptifm, 
^vhen  he  fawihe  Holy  Ghost  defcend  and  remain 
on  him,  and- heard  die  voice  from  heaven  confirming 
the  prophetick  wofd^  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in 
whom  I  am  well  pleafed.  He  fays,  he  that  fent  7nt  to 
baptize  with  water,  the  fame  faid  unto  me,  upon  whom 
thoujhalt  fee  thefpirit  defending  and  remaining  on 
him,  the  fame  is  he  that  baptizeth  with  the  Holy 
Ghost  J  and  If  aw  and  bear  record  that  this  is  the 
Sori  of  God. 

What  Ifaiah  prophefied  of  him  had  an  exa6l  ful- 
filment in  him  and  his  miniftry,  calling  every  exalted 
charafter,that  lookedfor  preferencein  the  Messiah's 
kingdom  on  that  account,  to  repentance  ;  it  was  not 
an  earthly  kingdom,  but  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  that 
was  at  hand.  None  were  there  admitted  on  account 
ofperfonal  excellencics,Or  excluded  for  want  of  them  ; 
but  every  one  admitted  by  the  good  pleafure  of  the 
Kino,  in  virtue  of  his  own  righteoufnefs  ;  which, 
while  it  brought  low  mountains  andhiills,  it  exalted 
every  valley,  every  one  depreffed  and  defpairing  for 
want  ofperfonal  righteoufnefs,  to  recommend  them 
to  the  divine  favour,  upon  the  knowledge  of  his  per- 
fe6l  charafterand  finifhed  work^  or  upon  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  being  revealed.  See  the  ground 
of  their  acceptance  in  him  ; — All  flefh  fhall  fee 
together,  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  fpoken. 
Thus  were  the  vilefl:  characters  encouraged  by  Johns 
preaching ;  the  publicans  and  harlots  believed  him, 
whofe  chara6lers  were  dcpreficd  low  as  valleys.  The 
apoftle  fpeaking  to  the  Ephefian  Gentiles,v}\\o  in  time 
paft,  or  before  they  believed  the  golpcj,  liiltained  the 
fame  worthlefs  chara8:ers,  fays,  Eph.  ii.  4.  Bui  God 
zvho  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  his  great  love  wherewith  he 
loved  us,  even  when  we  were  dead  in  fins,  hath 
quickened  us  together  with  Christ,  and  hath  raifedus 
up  together^  and  made  us  Jit  together  in  heavenly  places 

D  '         i^ 


55  PEACE  AND  jar. 

//J  Christ 'Jesus.  Surely  here,  the  valleys  are  ex>i 
alted,  fmners  of  the  Gentiles  quickened  together  with 
Christ,  and  railed  and  made  to  fit  together  iri  heav- 
enly places  inCHRisT  Jesus.  Jesus  the  high-prieft  of 
our  profeffion,  when  he  had  offered  one  facrifice  for  fin> 
fat  down  as  having,  finifhed  his  work.  We  finners  of 
the  Gentiles  J  as  low  as  valleys,  are  quickened  together 
with  Christ,- and  railed  and  made  to  lit'  together  in 
him  ;  fit  as  thofe  come  to  a  place  of  reft  and  fafety. 
Surely  here  is  thd  place  in  vHiieh  the  brother  of  low 
degree  may  fit  and  rejoice  with  exceeding  great  joyy 
in  that  be  is  exalted,  and  the  rich  in  that  he  is  made 
Ibw  ;  that  he  hath  difcovered  the  fading  nature  of  hisT 
riches,  by  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ.  If  we 
purfue  Jdhn\  teflimony  of  him,  after  Jesus  was  ma- 
nifefted  to  him,  as  in  John  i.  29,  36.  Behold  the 
Lamb  o/God  that  taketh- away  the  Jin  of  the  tvorld  :- 
behold  the  Lame  of  GoD^  Sec.  It  will  join  in  yield- 
ing evidence  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ  ;  for  fo  fure 
as  the  prophet's  teflimony  of  the  voice  crying  in  the 
wildernefs,  was  fulfilled  in  John  the  baptifl,  fo  fure 
he  bare  witnefs  to  the  truth  which  be  thus  expreffes; 
Jfaza  aitd  bare  record  thdt  this  is  the  Son  of  God. 

This  is  the  character  Jesus  claimed  ;  this  is  the 
truth  he  bare  wntnefs  to,  through  his  whole  life  ;  this 
is  what  his  works  bare  witnefs  of.  This  is  the  chara6lcr 
he  claimed,  John  viii.  24,28,  58.  Before  Abraham 
'was  I  am-y  which  was  the  charatler  of  the  God  of  If 
rael,  as  gjyen  to  Mofes^  Exodus,  iii.  13,  14.  Mofes  in- 
quires, w^hat  anfwer  he  fliall  give,  when  the  children 
of  Ifrael  fhall  afk  the  name  of  the  God  of  their  fa- 
thers ?  And  Gob  f aid  unto  Mofes,  /am  that  I  am.  :■ 
And  hefaid^  thusjlialt  thou  fay  to  the  children  of  If 
rad-i  I  ^^  hath  fent  me  unto  you.  Jesus  converting 
with  their  defcendants  who  had  this  record,  fays  ta 
them,  if  ye  believe  not  that  I  am,  ye  fhall  die  in  your 
fins.     When  yc  have  lift  up   the  Son  of  Man,  ye 

fhall 


P  E  A  C  E  AND  J  O  Y.  if 

fhall  know  that  I  am.  When  the  band  came  to  ap.- 
prehend  Jefus,  he  faid  unto  them,  Whom  feek  yc  ? 
'I'hey  faid,  Jksus  of  Nazareth  :  Jksus  faith  unto 
them,  I  AM.  As  foon  as  he  had  faid  unto  them,  I  am, 
they  went  backward  and  fell  to  the  ground.  He 
afked  again,  whom  feek  ye  ?  They  faid,  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  :  Jesus  aniwercd,  I  have  told  you  that  I 
AM. — -When' Jesus  {diid^before  Abraham  was,  I  am, 
they  took  up  ftones  to  caft  at  him,  John,  viii.  59.  The 
reafon  of  their  feveral  attempts  to  ftone  him,  they 
gave,  yohn  X.  ^^,  for  blafphemy  :  And  becaufe  thou 
being  a  manmaketh  thyfelf.  God, he  ftill  claimed  this 
charafter,  and  referred  them  to  his  works.  //  /  do 
not  the  works  of  my  fatjier,  believe  me  not  ;  but  if  I 
do,  though  you  believe  not  me,  believe  the  works  ;  that 
ye  may  know  and  believe  that  the  father  hathfentme  : 
I  have  greater  witnefs  than  that  of  John,  for  the  work 
which  the  father  hath  given  me  to  fnifh,  the  fame 
works  that  I  do  bare  witnefs  of  me, thai  the  father  hath 
ftnt  me  :  Believe  me  that  I  am  in  the  father  and  the 
father  in  me,  or  elfe  believe  me  forthevery  works  fake. 
Thus  Jesus  claimed  the  chara6ier  and  did  the 
works  which  the  Messiah  was  to  do,  and  referred  the 
J^e-wj  to  the  works,  as  bearing  witnefs  of  him  :  They 
conftandy  pppofmg  and  accufing  him  as  having  a 
devil,  being  mad,  fpeaking  blafphemy,  until  he  is  pur- 
fued  to  death  as  a  blafphemer  ;  in  which  death  we 
have  the  fulfilment  of  the  prophefies,and  the  accom- 
plilhment  of  the  types  of  the  old  Teftament.  And 
although  Jesus  was  put  to  death  as  a  blafphemer,  and 
is  defpifed  and  reje6ted  of  men  ;  defpifed  and  we  ef- 
tecmed  him  not :  but  efteemed  him  Itricken,  fmitten 
of  God  and  afflifted  ;  yet  he  was  wounded  for  our 
tranfgreffions,  he  was  bruifed  for  our  iniquities ;  the 
chaftifement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him,  and  by  his 
ftripes  we  are  healed  :  The  Lord  hath  laid  on  him 
the  iniquities  of  us  all :  For   the  trangreflion  of  my 

people 


28  PEACE  AND  JOY. 

people  was  he  fmitten.  The  various  other  prophefies^ 
concerning  the  death  of  Christ  (which  had  their  fulr 
filment  therein)  in  the  old-teftament,  would  lead  to  too 
great  length  to  take  a  yi^w  of  here.  All  the  types  and  fa-r 
orifices  have  their  fulfilment  here,  as  the  Lamb  God 
would  provide  himfelf,  of  which  Jbraham  told  Ifaac^ 
who  was  typified  by  the  lamb  caught  in  the  thicket  by 
his  horns,  that  was  oflPered  inftead  of  IfaaCs  Qenefis 
xxii.  13,  as  the  antitype  of  the  pafToyerlamb,  the  blood 
of  which  being  fprinkled  on  the  door,  &c.  the  de- 
ftroying  angel  fhould  pafs  over  and  not  come  into 
Itheir  houfes.  Thefe  types  no  doubt  John  had  in 
view  when  he  points  to  the  antitype  with,  behold  the 
Lamb  of  God  that  takethaway  the  fin  of  the  world  : 
Behold,  the  Lamb  of  God.  So  had  John  the  belov- 
ed, when  he  fays,  Unto  him  that  loved  us  and  wajlied 
m/rom  our  fins  in  his  own  blood.  So  had  Paul^  when 
he  fays.  Even  Christ  our  pajfover  isfacrijiced  for  us: 
and  when  he  fpeaksofthe  church  of  God  which  he 
had  purchafed  xuith  his  own  bloody  of  being  jujl if  ed  by 
his  blood,  of  \i2Lvmgredemption  through  his  blood,  and 
of  his  fanBifying  the  people  with  his  own  bloody 
And  Peter,  when  he  fays,  for  as  much  as  ye  were  not 
redeemed  with  corruptible  things  as  Giver  and  gold, 
from  your  vain  converfation,  received  by  tradition 
from  your  fathers,  but  with  the  precious  blood  of 
Christ,  as  of  a  L.AMB  without  blemiJJi  and  without 
fpot.  Here  the  whole  redeemed  company  will  join 
without  a  diffenter,  Thou  art  worthy,  for  thou  wajl 
flain  and  haf  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood. 

The  fulfilment  of  the  prophefies  of  the  old-tefta- 
jnent  in  the  circumftancesof  the  death  of  Jesus  might 
here  be  taken  brief  notice  of,  fuch  as  the  reproach  he 
underwent,  fpoken  of  P/^/m  xlii.  3,  10.  My  tears 
have  been  my  meat  day  and  night,  while  they  continually 
fay  unto  me,  where  is  thy  God  ?  With  nfword  in  my 
bones  mine  enemies  reproach  me^  while  they  fay  continu- 

alfyi 


PEACE  AND  J  O  Y.  as 

filly,  where  is  thy  Cod  ?  They  that  fit  in  the  gatefpeak 
againjl  me^  and  I  am  the  Jong  of  the  drunkard.  Re- 
proach hath  broken  my  heart.  Is  it  poflible  to  exprefig 
the  mod  keen  reproach  in  ftronger  language  ?  With 
a  fword  in  my  bones  mine  enemies  reproach  me  ;  re- 
proach hath  broken  my  heart.  Thefe  were  fulfilled 
in  the  dying  Jesus,  Where  is  thy  God  ?  He  truflcd 
in  God, let  him  deliver  him  now,  if  he  will  have  him. 
They  fpit  upon  him  :  What  more  ignominious  ? 
They  blind-folded  and  fmote  him  :  What  more  dif- 
trelTmg  ?  The  prophefy  fays,  they  fliout  out  the  lip, 
they  wag  the  head.  The  hiftory  fays,  they  that  palled 
by  reviled  him,  wagging  their  heads.  The  prophciV 
of  their  giving  hint  vinegar  to  drink,  is  then  fuliillerij 
and  the  prophetick  language  of  the  xxiid  Pfam  utter- 
led  ;  my  God,  my  God,  why  hafl  thou  forfaken  mc  ?■ 
And  we  have  a  fpecimen  of  the  accompliihment  of 
the  prophefy  in  the  ciid  Pfalm^  of  his  regarding  the 
prayer  of  the  deftitute,  hearing  the  groaning  of  the 
prilbner,  and  faving  the  fons  of  death,  in  his  anfwer 
to  the  dying  thief.  Here  we  have  him  uttering  the 
language  of  Pfalm  xxxi.  5.  Father,  into  thy  hands  I 
commend  myjpirit.  The  prophet  Daniel  fays,  hejliall 
finifJi  tranjgrefjion  and  make  an  end  of  fin,  make  re- 
conciliation for  iniquity, and  bring  in  everlajling  righ-, 
teoufnefs.  Jesus  upon  the  crofs  fays,  it  is  finiflied. 
IJaiah  fays,  he  made  inter ceffion  for  the  tranfgrtffors. 
Dying  Jesus  pra.ys,  Fat  her  forgive  them  for  they  know 
not  what  they  do.  Thofe  circumftances  that  at  firfl: 
view  feemed  merely  accidental,  were  ordered  for  the 
fulfilment  of  the  fcriptures  :  The  zeal  of  the  Jews 
for  the  the  obfervation  of  the  fabbath,  made  them 
urge  that  the  legs  of  thofe  that  were  crucified  might 
be  broken,  and  that  they  might  be  taken  away.  Con- 
fequcn;  upon  which  the  foldiers  came  and  brake  the 
legs  of  the  firft,  and  of  the  other  that  were  crucified 
with  him ;  but  when  they  faw  that  he  was  already  dead 

they 


30  PEACE   AND  JOY. 

they  break  not  his  legs,  but  one  of  them  with  a  Ipcar 
pierced  his  fide,  and  forth v.'ith  came  there  out  blood 
and  water,  which  things  vjtrt  done  that  the  fcriptures 
Piould  he  fulfilled^  The  type  in  the  paffover  lamb, 
Exodus^  xii.  46,  Numbers  ix.  12.  Neither  JJiall  ye 
Jfrenk  a  bone  thereof,  has  its  fulfilment  here.  And  the 
prophefy  in  Pfalm  xxxiv.  20.  He  keepeth  all  his  bones, 
not  one  of  them  is  broken,  is  accomplilhed  in  him. — 
(Doth  the  apoftle  fay,  we  are  members  of  his  body, 
of  hisflcfli,  and  of  his  bones  !  and  fhall  not  one  of 
them  be  broken  !  here  is  ftrong  confblation.)  So 
likewife  the  piercing  tlie  fpear  is  fpoken  of  by  ano- 
ther prophet :  Theyfliall  look  on  him  whom  they  have 
pierced,  for  every  eye  (hall  fee  him,  and  they  alfoihai 
pierced  him. 

Thus  the  fubjeft  is  purfued  until  [esus  is  dead  : 
The  foldiers  found  him  fo,  and  therefore  they  break 
not  his  legs.  When  Jofeph  allied  the  body  of  Pilate^ 
he  would  not  give  it  until  he  knew  from  the  Centu- 
rion that  he  was  certainly  dead.  Jofeph,  who  before 
had  been  a  fecret  difciple  for  fear  of  the  Jews,  went 
in  boldly  to  Pilate  to  alk  the  body  of  Jesus,  and  laid 
him  in  his  own  new  tomb,  that  was  hewed  out  of  <t 
rock,  wherein  never  man  before  was  laid. 

Well,  his  crucifiers  have  prevailed — are  they  fatis- 
fied  .?  Alas  !  they  are  ftill  afraid  !  they  remember 
that  Jesus  put  the  iffue  of  the  controverfy  upon  his 
refurreBion  from  the  dead,  which  he  fpake  of  fo  often 
as  to  be  a  known  fa 8:  among  them  :  And  they  fay  to 
Pilate,  Sir,  we  remember  that  that  deceiver  faid  while 
*he  was  alive,  after  three  days  I  will  rife  again  ;  com- 
mand therefore  that  the  fepulchre  be  made  fure  until 
the  third  day  :  Pilate,  anfwered,  1*om  have  a  watch, 
go  your  way,  make  it  as  fure  as  you  can.  So  they  went 
and  made  the  fepulchre  fare,  fealing  thefione  andfet-^ 
ting  a  watch.  The  defign  of  the  watch  was  to  pre- 
vent any  deception  about  the   refurreftion  of  Jesus 

ChrisTj 


Pii  AC  E  AND  J  O  Y,  3* 

Christ,  by  his  difciples  coming  by  night  and  dealing 
him  away.  Alas !  what  fear  could  arife  from  the 
difciples ;  who  all  forfook  him  and  fled  ?  Maithezj 
xxvi.  56,  Mark  xiv.  50.  And  though  Peter  and  John 
afterwards  followed  him,  yet  Peter  followed  afar  ofF^ 
and  was  afraid  to  own  his  Lord,  even  before  a  dam- 
fel,  but  denied  three  times  that  he  knew  him  :  And 
yo/m  who  was  the  only  male  of  the  difciples  that  wc 
have  an  account  of  that  ftood  by  the  crofs,  he  did  not 
underftand  the  fcriptures  concerning  the  refurre&ioii 
of  Jesus  Christ,  until  it  was  accomplifhed,  nor  any 
of  them,  yohn  xx.  8.  9.  The  fcpulchre  was  hewn  out 
of  a  rock,  and  no  way  to  it  but  by  the  door.  The 
very  great  ftone  that  was  rolled  to  the  door  was  fcal- 
ed,  and  the  watch  fet  to  keep  it,  who  if  they  fell 
afleep,  forfeited  their  lives  ;  but  divine  power  inter-* 
pofed,  there  was  a  great  earthquake  ;  the  Angel  of  the 
Lord  defcended  and  rolled  back  the Jione from  the  door 
and  fat  upon  it  ;  his  countenance  was  like  lightning.^ 
and  his  raiment -white  asfnozu^  and  for  fear  of  him 
the  keepers  did Jliake  and  became  as  dead  men.  T\\t 
earthquake  mentioned  in  Matthew  xxvii.  51,  54,  and 
xxviii.  2,  appears  to  be  one  and  the  fame,  though  at 
lirft  view  the  mention  that  is  made  of  it  in  Matthew 
ixvii.  51,  feems  to  be  immediately  connefted  with 
his  giving  up  the  ghofl ;  yet  the  53d  verfe  ftews  it 
belonged  to  his  refurredioru  The  vail  of  the  temple 
was  rent  in  twain  from  the  top  to  the  bottom  ;  the  vail 
that  always  hung  to  divide  the  holy  place  from  the 
ilioft  holy,  where  none  might  enter  but  the  high-pricft 
once  a  year,  upon  the  day  of  atonement,  with  the 
blood  of  the  facrifice,  which  he  offered  for  himfelf 
and  the  errors  of  the  people  :  This  was  rent  to  fhcv; 
that  the  antitype  was  now  come,  and  the  way  to  the 
holieft  of  all  was  opened  by  Jesus  Christ. 

The  centurion  and  thofethat  were  with  him  watch- 
ing Jesus,  when  they  faw  the  earthquake,  and  thofc 

things 


3.2  PEACE  AND  J  O  Y. 

things  that  were  done,  feared,  faying,  truly  this  was 
the  Son  of  God.  The  centurian  and  they  that  wertf 
with  him  watching  Jssi/s,  mentioned  in  the  54th 
verfe,  I  conceive  to  be  the  watch  at  the  fepulchre^ 
ahhough  the  appointment  of  them  by  Pil aU  a-udihc'ir 
being  kt  is  mentioned  after  in  verfes  6^^  66  ;  this 
watch  being  fet  to  prevent,  finally  ftrengthen  the 
evidence  of  our  Lord's  refurre8ion,  being  them- 
felves  conflrained  to  acknowledge,  truly  this  man  was 
the  Son  of  God.  Some  of  them  returning  to  the 
city  fhewed  the  chief  prieft  all  the  things  that  were 
done,  and  when  they  were  affembled  with  the  elders^ 
they  gave  large  money  to  the  foldiers,  to  hire  them 
to  fay,  his  difciples  came  by  night  and  ftole  him  away 
while  we  flept ;  and  although  thi's  will  expofe  you  to 
death,  yet  we  will  interpofe  if  it  come  to  the  gover- 
nor's ears  j  we  will  perfuade  him  and  fecure  you  : 
So  they  took  the  money  and  did  as  they  were  taught  i 
and  this  faying  is  commonly  reported  among  the 
yewsuni'il  this  day,  Mati.  xxviii.  from  the  nth  ia 
the  16th  verfe.  By  this  report  it  is  evident  that  Jesi^s 
was  not  in  the  fepulchre  on  the  third  day,  by  the  con- 
feflion  of  the  Jezus.  The  angel  that  thus  overcome 
and  difpirited  the  foldiers  comforted  the  women  with 
the  tidings  of  the  refurreftion  :  Fear  not  ye  ;  for  I 
know  thatyefeek  Jesus  :  He  is  not  here  ;  for  he  is 
rijen  as  he  f aid :  Come^feethe  place  where  the  Lord  lay. 
Mary  Magdalene  was  the  firft  at  the  fepulchre  : 
John  XX.  1.  Early  while  it  was  yet  dark,  and  feeth^ 
ihejlone  rolled  away  from,  the  fepulchre.  This  was  all 
that  John  gives  accoimt  of  her  feeing  at  that  time 
of  her  going  to  the  fepulchre  ;  upon  which  ihe  run- 
neth and  Cometh  to  Feter  and  John^  faying,  they 
have  taken  away  the  Lord  out  of  the  fepulchre,  and 
we  know  not  where  they  have  laid  him  :  They  ran 
both  of  them,  and  went  into  the  fepulchre,  and  faw 
the  linen  clothes  lie,  and  the  napkin  tbat  was  about 

his 


PEACE  AND  J  O  V.  33 

Wis  head  wrapt  together  in  a  place  by  itfelf.  It  isfaid 
of  John^  he  Jaw  and  believed,  for  as  yet  they  knew  not 
the  fcriptures  that  he  mujl  rife  from  the  dead.  He 
faw  and  believed  what?  that  Jesus  wds  hot  in  the 
fepulchre  :  Alfo  it  appears  moft  highly  probable  that 
what  the  fcriptures  of  the  Old-Teftament  had  faid, 
pointing  to  the  reftnTeftion  of  Jesus  Christ,  with 
what  he  had  faid  concerning  it,  which  as  yet,  or  un- 
til that  time  they  did  not  underftand,  now  (truck  the 
mind  o^  John,  as  what  \^as  accomplifhcd  in  his  refur- 
rc6lion;  while  Pf^(rr  returned  wondering  in  himfelf 
at  what  had  happened,  and  went  away  again  unto 
their  own  home ;  (but  Mary  wis  back  again  the 
fecond  time  to  the  fepulchre  after  them  :)  And  when 
they  went  home  flie  ftood  without  at  the  door  of  the 
fepulchre  weeping,  and  ftooping  down  into  the  fepul- 
chre, c^^^y'^fM/ wo  angels  in  white,  fitting  one  at  the 
headland  the  other  at  the  feet  where  the  body  o/^Jesus 
had  lain  ;  who  inquired,  why  fhe  wept  ?  Becaufe, 
faid  fhe,  they  have  taken  aw^ay  my  Lord  ;  and  fhe 
turned  herfelf  back  and  faw  Jesus  ftanding,  and 
knew  not  that  it  was  Jesus  :  He  was  pleafed,  by  call- 
ing her  by  name,  to  make  himfelf  known  to  her,  and 
bid  her  go  to  his  brethren,  and  fpeak  to  them  of  his 
afcenfion.  She  went  and  told  the  difciples  that  flie 
bad  feen  the  Lord,  and  that  he  had  fpoken  thele 
things  unto  her. 

She  is  now  ready  to  accompany  the  women  to  tlie 
fepulchre  with  the  fpiccs  they  had  prepared,  as  Mat- 
thew relates,  who  came  at  the  rifmg  of  the  lun.  They 
faid,  wlio  fhall  roll  us  away  the  (tone  from  the  door 
of  the  fepulchre,  for  it  was  very  great.  But  why  fhpuld 
they  make  the  inquiry,  if  Mary  had  been  there  be- 
fore and  feen  the  ftone  rolled  away  ?  Probably  they 
might  not  credit  her  teftimony ;  might  fuppofe  her  to 
be  eafily  miftaken,  being  there  fo  very  early,  while  it 
was  yet  dark.  But  when  they  looked  they  faw  that  the 
E  Hone 


^i  PEACE  AND  JOY. 

Itone  v/as  roiled  away,  and  entering  in  they  faw  a  young 
man  fitting  ori  the  right  Jide  in  a  long  white  garment, 
Saith  Mark,  and  behold  two  menjlood  by  them  inJJiin- 
ing  garments.  Saidi  Zw^e,  which  fpake  ta  the  wo- 
men, faying,  he  not  affrighted, ye  feek  Jesus  of  Naza- 
reth, ichich  was  crucijicd  :  He  is  not  here  ;  but  is 
i-ifen.  Mark  ntenUons  a  young  man  fitting,  and  Luke 
♦wo  men  Handing,,  which  teftimonies  do  not  contra- 
dict each  other  ;  for  it  often  happens  when  two  are 
together  the  one  that  ftrikes  the  attention  moft,  as  be- 
ing chief  fpeaker,  is  made  mention  of  ;  efpecially 
when  the  evidence  of  the  fatl  they  teflify  is  the  mat- 
ter to  be  attended  to,  and  it  is  not  uncommon  for  a 
perfon  who  is  firft  feen  fitting,  to  be  prefently  and  at 
the  fame  interview  (landing  or  moving  from  place  to 
place.  Thofe  who  were  in  long  white  garments,  or 
fhining  garments,  1  fuppofe,  were  angels  appearing 
in  the  likenefs  of  men  ;  and,  no  doubt,  the  fame  angel 
that  Matthew,  fpeaks-  of,  who  came  and  rolled  back 
the  ftone,  and  fat  upon  \\^  whofe  countenance  was  like 
lightning.,  and  his  raiment  white  as  fnow,  was  one  of 
them,  and  the  chief  fpeaker.  Their  joint  tcftimony 
is,  that  Jesus  Christ  is  rifen  from  the  dead,  as 
he  faid  unto  the  difciples  :  And  each  evangelift  re- 
ports, that  they  fent  the  women  with  the  news  to  the 
difciples,  informing  them  that  he  goeth  before  them 
mto  Gallilee,  where  they  fhould  fee  him,  as  he  faid 
unto  them  before  he  was  crucified,  Matt.  xxvi.  32,  and 
Mark  xvi.  7. 

Now  as  tkey  went  to  tell  his  difciples,  Jesus  met 
them  and  faid.  All  hail^  and  fends  them  on  the  fame 
errand  they  had  before  from  the  angels.  Mary  had 
before  told  the  difciples  fhe  had  feen  the  Lord, and 
that  he  had  fpokcn  fuch  things  unto  her.  Now  Jesus 
meets  and  fhews  himfelf  to  Mary  Magdalene,  the 
other  Mary,  Salome  and  other  women,  with  them, 
and  fends  them  with  their  joint  evidence  to  tell  his 

difciples. 


P  EACE  AND  J  O  Y.  35 

difciples.  Theviewthat  I  have  taken  of  Ji-.susChkist 
fhewiiighimfclf  to  Maiy  Magdalene  alone,  as  record - 
C-d  by  John  previous  to  and  diftind  from  his  appear- 
ing to  the  women,  is  proved  and  flrcngthencd  l)y 
Mark  xvi.  g.  Now  when  Jesus  zuas  rijm,  early  the 
fir  ft  day  of  the  week  he  appeared  frji  to  Mary  Mag-, 
dalene,  out  of  whom  lie  had  cafl  feven  devils  ;  and  i: 
feems  tome  to  be  mod  plainly  to  be  giuhered  from 
the  hiftory,  as  related  by  the  four  evangelifts. 

The  difciples  did    not    believe    Mary    Magdalene., 
Mark  xvi.  1 1.    They  did  not  believe  the  joint    tcfti- 
niony  ofher  and  the  other  women,  Luke  xxiv.  ii.   So 
Jesus  after  appeared  to  two  of  them  as  they  walked 
and  went  into  the  country  ;  the  account  of  which  we 
have,  Mark  xvi.  12,  and  the  particulars  related,  Luke 
xxiv.  13,  &:c.     And  they  went  and  told  it  to  the  refi- 
due  ;  neither  believed  they  them  :  The  cme  of  their 
unbelief,  or  the  further  evidences   that  was  given  of 
the  truth  to  them,  are  multiplied  evidences  of  the  fame 
truth  to  us.     He  after  appeared  to  the  eleven  as  they 
fat  at  meat,  and  upbraided  them  of  their  unbelief  and 
hardnefs  of  heart,   becaufe    they    believed  not    them 
that  had  feen  him   after  he  was  rifen,  Mark  xvi.    1  4. 
"^wtTJiomas    was  not  with  them  vihen   Jesus  came, 
John,  XX.  24.  The  other  difciples  therefore  faid  unto 
him,  we  have  feen  the  Lord  :  But  he  faid  unto  them, 
except  If/tall  fee  in  his  hand  the  print  of  the  nails,  and 
put  my  finger  into  the  print  of  the  nails,  and  thriifl  viy 
hand  into,  his  fide,  I  zuill  not  believe.     Thus   we    fee 
the  difciples  did  not  any  of  them  give  in,  to  this  truth, 
without  evidence  to  their  full  fatisfaftion.  After  eight 
days,  (I  fuppofe,  on  the  return  of  the  firft  day  of  the 
week)  his  difciples  were  within,  and  Thomas  with  them; 
when  Jr.sus    again  manifefted   himfelf  to  them,   and 
fatisfied  Thomas  of  the  evidence  of  the  truth  he  had 
before  heard  from   the  other  difciples,  by  l'ayii\g   to 
\iim,  Reach  hither  thy  fiiigcr  and   behold  my  hands  : 

ar\d 


36  Pf:  A  C  E  AND  JOY. 

and  reach  hither  thy  hand  and  thrujl  it  into  tny  Jide^ 
and  be  notfaithlcfs^  but  believing.  Thomas^  fatisficd 
with  the  evidence,  anfwered  and  faid,  My  Lord  and 
viy  God.  Jesus  faid  unto  him,  Thomas,  becaufe  thou 
hoj}Jee7i  me  thou  hajl  believed  ;  hlejfed  are  they  that 
have  not  ft  en  and  have  believed  :  Thofe  that  beUeve 
on  the  credit  of  divine  teflimopy;  that  believe  through 
the  word  of  the  prophets  and  apollle.s,  jointly  centring 
in  this  truth  ;  although  they  fee  not  Jesus  with  their 
bodily  eyes.;  of  whom.  Peter  fpeaks,  ifl;  cpiftle,  i,  8, 
In  whom,  though  now  ye  fee  him  not,  yet  believing^ 
ye  rejoice  with  joy  unfpeakable,  and  full  of  glory. 

We  find  him  not  only  fliewing  himfclf  to  them,  but 
eating  and  drinking  with  them  after  his  refurrcftion. 
7'he  evening  of  the  day  of  his  refurrecUon,  when  he 
Vv-alked  unknown  with  two  of  the  difciples,  when  they 
came  to  fit  at  meat  wkhthtm,  he  took  bread  and  blef/cd^ 
and  brake  and  gave  to  them  ;  and  their  eyes  were  open- 
ed  and  they  knew  him.     They  rofe  up  the  fame  hour, 
and  returned  to  Jerufalcm,  and  found  the  eleven  ga- 
thered together,  and  they  that  were  with  them,  faying, 
The  Lord  is  rifen  indeed,  and  hath  appeared  unto  Sir 
mon  :  And  they  told  what  things  were   done  in  the 
way,  and  how  he  was  known  of  them,  in  breaking  of 
bread.     And  as  they  thus  fpake,  Jesus  himfelf  flood 
in  the  midft,  and  faid,  peace  unto  you.     When  they 
were  terrified  and  affrighted,  fuppofing  they  had  feen 
a  fpirit,  he  bid  them  behold  his  hands  and  his  feet, 
that  it  was  he  himfelf  ;  bid  them  handle  him,  and  be 
fatisfied  he  had  flefli  and  bones  ;  and  fliewed  them 
his  hands  and  his  feet.     And  while  they  believed  not 
for  joy  and  wondered,  he  faid  unto  them,  have  ye  any 
meat?  And  they  gave  him  a  piece  of  a  broiled  fifh  and 
a  honey-comb ;  and  he    took  it  and  did  eat  before 
them,  Luke  xxiv.  43.     We  have  another  account  of 
his  dining  with  them,  John  xxi.  fron;  the  10th  to  the 
lath.     And  PeUr  fpeaks  of  it,  A^ls  %.  40,  41.    Him 
^  Goo 


P  E  A  C  E  AND  J  O  Y.  37 

God  ralfed  up  and  (liewed  him  openly  j  not  ioa]\  the 
people,  but  to  us  7vho  did  cat  and  drink  with  him  af- 
ter he  rojcfrom  the  dead.  This  part  of  th€  evidence 
may  be  clofed  with  the  teftimony  of  Paul^  ift,  Cor^ 
XV.  4th  to  the  8th.  That  he  rofe  again  the  third  day^ 
according  to  thefcriptur^s :  And  that  he  was  ftcn  of 
Cephas^  then  of  the  twelve.  After  that  he  was  feen  of 
above  five  hundred  brethren  at  once  ;  of  whom  the 
greater  part  remain  unto  this  prefcnt-,  but  fame  are 
fallen  afleep.  After  that  he  was  feen  of  James  ;  then 
cf  all  the  apoflhs.  And  lajl  of  all  he  was  feen  of  me 
ffn,  as  of  one  born  out  of  due  time. 


PART      II, 
fhe  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  : — The  fpread   of  the 
Go/pel  :   The  miracles  wrought  in  confirjnaiion  of 
tjie  Truth  : — rThe  difference  between  them  and   tlie 
deceivable  miracles  of  Antichrijt, 

Jl  he  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  according  to 
the  promile  of  Jesus  Christ  to  his  difciples,  is  ano- 
ther evidence  of  this  truth,  with  which  is  conncftcd 
the  Apoflles'  teftimony,  or  their  bearing  witnefs  of 
the  refurredion  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  When  Jesus 
Christ  told  his  difciples^  John  xiv.  2,  /  go  to  pre- 
pare a  place  for  you.  Cfiap.  xvi.  5,  7,  But  nozu  Igo 
my  way  to  him  thatfcnt  me.  Neverchelefs^  I  tell  you 
the  truth  ;  it  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away  :  For 
if  I  go  not  away.,  the  Comforter  will  not  come  unto 
you  ;  but  f  I  depart  I  will  fend  him  unto  you.  I  will 
pray  the  Father,  and  he  fiall  give  you  another  Com- 
fortert  that  he  may  abide  with  you  forever  ;  but  the 
Comforter,  the  Ho^y  Ghost,  whom  the  Father  zvdl 
ftnd  in  my  nan}e,  he  /Iiall  teach  you  all  things,  and 
bring  all  things  to  your  remembrance,  whatfoevcr  I 
have  fa  id  unto  you.     And  Luke  izXh  us  in  the  hiftory 

of 


38  PEACE  AND  JO  Y. 

of  the  ABs  of  the  Apcjiles^  chap.  i.  4,  5.  That  Jesu^ 
being  ajfembled  together  with  them^  conwianded  them 
that  thcyjhould  not  depart  from  Jerufalem^but  wait 
Jor  the  promije  oj  the  Father^  which  ye  have  heard  of 
me  ;  for  John  truly  baptized  with  water ^  but  ye  Jliall 
he  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  not  rnany  days 
hence.  This  having  its  accomphfiiment  after  the  af- 
cenfion  of  Jesus  Christ,  while  the  difciples tarried 
together  at  Jerifalem^  waiting  for  it,  according  to 
the  Lord's  direftion?  as  we  have  account,  Ads  ii. 
evidences  the  truth  before  us,  that  Jesus  Christ 
is  the  Son  of  God,  which  will  more  fully  appear,  if 
we  confider  the  office  of  the  Spirit,  or  the  defign  of 
bis  being  fent,  as  exprefled  by  Jesus  Christ  unto 
his  difciples  before  his  death,  John  xvi.  13.  When 
he,  the  Spirit  of  truth,  is  come,  hefhall  guide  you  into 
all  truth  ;  for  hefhall  notfpeak  of  himfclf ;  but  what- 
foever  hefhall  hear,  that  Jliall  he  f peak  :  And  he  will 
Jliew  you  things  to  come.  He  fiall  glorify  me  :  for 
he piall  take  of  mine,  and^iew  it  unto  you,  John  xv. 
26.  But  when  the  Comforter  is  come,  whorn  I  will  fend 
unto  y^u  from  the  Father,  the  f pint  of  truth,  which 
proceedeth  from  the  Father,  he  Jliall  teflify  of  me. 
And  ye  alfo  fhall  bear  witnefs,  hecaufe  ye  have  been 
with  me  from  the  beginning,  ABs  i.  8.  But  ye  fliall 
receive  power  after  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  come 
upon  you :  And  ye  fliall  be  witneffes  unto  me,  both 
in  Jerufalem,  and  in  all  Judea,  and  in  Samaria,  and 
unto  the  uttermoft  parts  of  the  earth. 

There  appears  three  things  to  be  taken  notice  of. 

Firft.  He  fhall  fliew  you  things  to  come.  This 
had  its  fulfilment,  I  conceive,  in  what  the  Apoftles 
fpake  concerning  the  rife,  reign  confumption  and 
deftruftion  of  Antichrift  ;  as  in  2  Thef  2  ;  2  Pet.  2; 
1  John  ii.  18*  19;  1  Ti7n.  iv.  1  ;  2  Tim.  3;  and 
inthe  book  of  the  Revelations:  And  in  what  is  fpoken 
of  Jfrael  in  the  xith  of  Romans,  particularly  from  the 
26th  vcrfe.  Secondly. 


PE  A  CE  AND  J  O  Y.  39 

Secondly.  He  fliall  not  fpeak  of  himfelf,  hefhall 
glorify  me  ;  for  he  fliall  receive  of  mine,  and  fiiew 
it  unto  you.  All  that  the  Father  hath  are  mine  ; 
therefore  faid  I  that  he  Ihall  take  of  mine,  and  fhcw 
it  unto  you. 

He  (hall  not  fpeak  of  himfelf,  of  his  work  on  the 
hearts  of  men,  fo  as  to  make  men  the  objefts  of  ad- 
miration and  attention,  becaufe  they  can  tell  of  the 
Work  of  the  Spirit  on  their  hearts,  and  fo  are  led  to 
give  out  that  they  are  [ome  great  one s,  fome  peculiar 
favourites  of  heaven. 

He  ihall  glorify  me,  he  fhall  take  of  mine  and  fiiew 
it  unto  you.  The  office  of  the  fpirit  is  to  Ihew  the  glory 
of  Christ,  as  a  guide  points  us  forward  to  the  way  in 
which  we  fhould  go,  or  to  the  objeft  to  which  we 
iliould  look  ;  and  is  the  voice  behind  us,  faying, 
tiiis  is  the  way,  walk  ye  in  it.  We  are  taught  to  call 
Jesus  Lord,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  to  view  his 
glory  as  ourall-fufficient  relief,  in  ourdeftitutecircum- 
ftances,  to  be  looked  to  :  Not  to  call  ourfelves  and 
one  another  experienced  Chriftians,  that  have  the 
Spirit,  and  fo  to  admire  ourfelves  and  one  another 
as  the  favorites  of  Heaven,  in  preference  to  others. 
If  we  fliould  take  notice  of  the  many  ways  in  which 
the  work  of  the  fpirit  is  manifefted  in  the  New  Tefta- 
ment,  they  would  be  all  found  to  center  in  the  difplay 
of  the  glory  of  Christ,  which  will  be  more  eafily 
brough(:  to  view  in  confidering  the  third  particular; 
wlierein  the  witnefs  of  the  Spirit  and  the  Apoftles' 
tcftimony  are  connefted  together. 

Thirdly.  He  fliall  teftify  of  me,  and  ye  alfo  fliall 
bear  witnefs,  becaufe  ye  have  been  with  me  from  the 
beginning  ;  ye  fhall  receive  power  after  that  the 
Holy  Ghost  is  come  upon  you;  and  ye  fliall  be 
witneffes  unto  me  in  Jerufalem,  and  in  all  Judea,  and 
Samaria^  and  to  the  uttermoft  ends  of  the  eardi. 

When 


4^  PEA  C  E  AND  I  O  V. 

When  the  Apoftlcs  were  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  on  the  day  of  Peritecofl,  they  received  pow- 
er to  be  witnellbs  of  the  refufreclioh  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  to  men  of  other  tongues,  as  the  Spirit  gave 
th.em  utterance,  though  there  were  together  at  that 
fime  dwellers  in  jferufahm  jcws^  devote  men  out  of 
every  nation  under  heaven.  There  are  about  fifteen 
different  parts  of  the  earth  mentioned,  from  whence 
they  came,  where  they  were  born  ;  (probably  col- 
lected together  to  the  feaft  of  Pentecod.)  They  heard 
every  man  in  his  own  tongue,  wherein  they  were  born. 
What  they  heard  was  proving  from  the  Scriptures 
that  Jesus  M'as  the  Christ,  as  evidenced  by  his  re- 
furretlion  from  the  dead  :  as  may  be  feen  by  Feter'si 
difcourfe  to  them,  v.  36.  Therefore  let  all  the  hoife 
of  Ifrael  know  affuredly  thdt  God  hath  made  that 
fame  Jesus  who?n ye  havt  Crucified  both  Lord  and 
Christ;  the  effeft  of  which  was  the  addition  of 
about  three  thoufand  fouls,  to  the  number  of  thofe 
that  called  Jesus  Lord,  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 
The  apoftles  did  not  arrogate  any  thing  to  them- 
felves  ;  for  when  the  lame  man  was  healed  in  the  next 
chapter,  by  the  gift  of  healing  from  the  fame  Spirit^ 
and  the  people  ran  together  into  Solom.ons  porch< 
greatly  wondering,  Peter  anfwCred  to  the  people,  Ye 
men  of  If'ael,  why  marvel  ye  at  this  ?  Or  why  look 
ye  fo  earneftly  upon  us,  as  tho'  by  our  own  power  or 
holinefs  we  had  made  this  man  to  walk  ?  The  God 
of  Abraham,  and  of  Ifaac,  and  of  Jacob,  the  God  of 
cur  Fathers  hath  glorified  his  Son  ^ls\j&,  whom  ye 
delivered  up,  and  denied  in  the preftnce  of  Pilate,  when 
he  was  determined  to  let  him  go  ;  but  ye  denied  the 
Holy  One  and  thejufi,  and  defired  a  murderer  to 
he  granted  unto  you,  and  killed  the  Prince  of  Life, 
•whomOoD  hath  rai fed  from  the  dead,  whereof  we  are 
ivitnefj'es-,  and  his  name,  through  faith  in  his  namej 
hath  made  this  man  Jlrong,  whom  ye  fee  and  know  ; 

yea^ 


t^  E  A  C  E  A?rD  J  d  Y.  41 

Kfiiithe  faith  that  is  hy  hi-m  ha-th  given  him  tii/j  pcr^ 
feUfownhn'fif  in  the  prefcn(^e  ,oJ y  on  alL  And  tho'  on 
their  Cpealvinji  to  the  jx^ople,  the  priefts  and  the  cap- 
tain of  the  temple  and  the  Sadduecscame  upon  them, 
being  grieved  that  they  taught  the  pGople^  and  preach- 
ed tlirough  JEsus,  the  refurreftion  from  the  dead, 
and  laid  haucls  on  them,  and  put  them  in  hold  until 
the  ncoii  day  ',  yet  many  qf  them  that  heard  the  word 
believed  >  and  the  number  of  the  men  were  about 
five  tlioufand. 

The  next  cl^V?  being  brought  before  the  rulers, 
they  received  power  to  be  witnefTes  to  this  tnlth,  be- 
fore thefe  rulers  in  jferufaiem  ;  being  filled  with  the 
Holy  Ghoft,  J^eier  laid  unto  them,  Ye  rulers  of  the 
people  and  elders  of  Ifrael,  if  we  this  day  be  exami- 
ned of  the  good  deed  done  to  the  impotent  man,  by 
vhat  means  he  is  made  whole,  be  it  known  to  you  a/If 
and  10  all  the  people  of  Ijrael^  that  hy  the  7iame  of  ]v- 
sus  Christ,  of  Nazareth^  zuhovi  ye  crucified^  who7n- 
God  raiftd from  the  deady  even  hy  hivi  doth  this  man 
Jiand  before  you  whole:  This  is  the  ftone  fet  at  nought 
by  you  builder?:,  which  is  become  the  head  of  tiie 
corner.  Neither  is  there  falvation  in  any  other  ;  for 
there  is  none  other  name  under  Heaven  given  among 
men,  whereby  we  muit  be  laved.  Thus  with  great 
power  gave  the  apollles  witnefs  of  the  refurre^lion  > 
and  though  they  llraitly  threatened  and  commanded 
them  not  to  fpcak  at  all,  nor  teach  in  the  name  of 
Jksus)  they  received  power  to  anfwer^  Whether  i(  be 
right  in  the  light  of  God  to  hearken  to  you  more 
than  unto  God,  judge  ye  ?  We  oug^ht  to  obey  God 
rather  thivii  mail ;  we  cannot  but  ipeak  the  things 
which  VkQ  have  heard  and  feen. 

Thus  hath  the  apofUes,  bearing  witnefs  unto  Jesus 

at  Jerufakm^  and  Judea  been  hinted  at.     Tiie  Hif» 

tory  of  the  Ath  of  the  Apojiks  abounds  with  other  like 

inltances  :  Ijut  I  pal's  to  jnention  their  being  witnelf- 

"  F  cs 


4^  PEACE  AND  J  O'V; 

^.s  in  Sdfnnria,  and  to  the  uttermoft  ends  of  the  ear^li/ 
Upon  the  perl'ecution  againft  the  church  at  Jerufa- 
icm,  they  that  were  fcattered  went  every  where  preach- 
ing the  word.  Then  Philip  went  down  to  Samaria 
and  preached  Christ  there.  AncV  when  the  apof- 
ties  heard  that  Samaria  had  received  the  wor'd  of 
G0D5  they  fent  to  them  Peter  <in&  John  :  And  they, 
Y'hen  they  had  tcfttfied'  and  preached  the  word  of  the 
Lord, returned  to  Jernfalcm  and  preached  the  gof- 
pel  in  many  villages' of  the  Samaritans.  Philip  was- 
lent  to  the  defert,  where  he  tAti  the  Ethiopcan  Eu- 
nuch, and  preached  Christ  to  him,  from  the  liiid  of 
Ifaiah.  Philip  was  after  found  at  Azotus,  and  paffing' 
rhrough  he  preached  in  all  the  cities'  until  he  came 
to  Cefarea. 

In  the  ahbve-mehtioned  hiftory  Luke  gives  an  ac- 
count of  the  apoftles'  being  witneffes  in  Aniioch,  Afa- 
iiah,  Berea{  Cefarea,  Cyprus,  Cyrecm,  Cicillia,  Damaf- 
cus,  Derbe,  Ephefus,  Galatia,  Jopp'a^  Iconium,  Illyri- 
cofn^  Lydda,  L^jlra,  Macedonia,  Mijfa,  PapJios,  Phe^ 
nicia,  Perga,  Pijidia^  Pamphilia,  Satdmis,  Selucia^ 
Syria,  Troas  and  Thejfalonica  :  Which  are  here 
mentioned  to  illuArate  the  fulfilment  of  the  pr'omife 
oi  J-Estis  Christ  to  his  difciples  :  Ye  fhall  receive" 
power  after  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  come  upon  you; 
and  ye  fhall  be  witneffes  unto  me  in  Samaria,  ahd  to< 
the  uttermoft  parts  of  the  earth. 

Here  it  may  be  added,  that  the  Apoftlcs  in  their 
teftimony,  and  firft  Difdiples,  appeared  fmcere  ;  they 
really  believed  the  truth  they  teftified,  becaufe  they 
■worfliipped  Jesus  Christ  as  God.  In  endeavour- 
iVig,  for  my  own  fatisfaftion,  to  look  imo  the  New 
Teftamcnt,  to  fee  who  were  believers,  that,  laying 
rtfidc  tradition,  I  might  find  what  was  the  faith  of  the 
Gpfpcl :  From  thence  I  could  not  but  draw  this  coni- 
clufion,  that  thofc  who  few  the  glory  of  Christ  in 
to  fatisfa^ory  a  manncF  as  to  call  him  Lc>rd,  and  ad- 

drefs 


f  E  A  C  E  AND  J  O  Y,  ^g 

.^refs  hira  as  the  obje6l  of  their  worfhip,  \cere  bci- 
Jievers  :  Thefe  appeared  to  underftand  the  nn  fiery 
of  godlinefSjthat  God  was  manifeft  in  the  flcfli.Whcij 
1  came  to  Mall.  viii.  2.  And  behold  a  leper  wor- 
fhipping  him,  faying,  Lord  !  if  thou  wilt  thou  canli 
n>akc  me  clean,  I  was  fatisfied  I  found  a  Newl'cf- 
tament  Believer  :  An4  reading  orj  ^o  ver.  6,  7,  8,  I 
faw  a  Centurion  befeeching  him,  faying,  Lojid,  my 
fervant  lyeth  at  home  fick  of  the  palfy.  grievoufly  tor- 
mented. J zsvs  faith j  I  zuill  come  and  heal  him.  The 
Centurion  anjwered,  and /aid,  Lqrdj  J  am  noi  -wor- 
thy  that  thou Jhoiddjl  come  under  v^y  '^'ooj^  bntfpcak  the 
word  only  and  viy  fervant  PifiU  he  healed  ;  I  thoughi 
I  had  found  another,  and  was  confirmed  that  I  was 
right,  by  reading  down  to  the  10th  verfe  ;  When  Jl- 
sus  heard,  he  marveled  and f aid,  I  have  not  found  fa 
great  faith,  no  not  in  Ifratl.  In  Iqoking  ii)to  the  9th 
chapter  I  faw  a  nuniber  of  believers,  whofe  faiih  waj 
manifcfted  by  their  ^yorks,  in  bringing  a  man  fick  of 
the  palfy  to  Jesus.  I  call  them  Believers  with  good 
authority  ;  foj- Jesus  faw  their  faith.  Proceeding  to 
verfe  18th,  I  find  another  Believer,  a  worfliipper  of 
J Ksus,  fayipg  \o  him.  My  daughter  is  nov  dead  ;  but 
come  and  lay  thine  hand  upon  her  and  flie  fliall  live, 
A  difeafed  woman,  in  the  crowd?  is  next  brought  in, 
in  a  parenthefis,  who  had  fuch  faith  in  him,  as  to  fay 
within  herfelf.  If  I  may  but  touch  the  hem  of  his  gar- 
ment I  fhall  be  whole.  Next  we  come  to  the  two 
blind  men,  V.  27,  who  followed  him,  crying  and  fay- 
ing. Thou  Son  of  J^avid,  have  mercy  on  us.  And  as 
they  addreded  him  as  Son  o£  David,  Jesus  was  pleaf- 
ed  to  give  them  opportunity  to  profefs  their  faith, 
and  worfhip  him  as  Lord  :  Bdicvefl  thou  that  I  aon 
able  to  do  this  ?  They  f aid  wn^o  A/?^,  F^'^z,  Lord.  Were 
I  to  indulge  my felf  further  in  this  agreeable  compa^ 
py,  I  might  feem  tedious,  having  already  looked  over 
X^o  chjjptcif^  i  but  this- may  fuflicc  for   a  Ipccimcn^, 

^ha^ 


44  PE  AGE  AND  JOY. 

that  the  firft  Difciple^,  to^rether  with  the  Apoftles, 
vorfhipped  Jesus  as  Lord  ;  beholding  his  glory,  the 
glory  of  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,  full  of  grace 
and  truth,  they  addrefs  him  as  the  objett  of  their 
vorfliip  ;  Lord  increafe  our  fiiith  ;  Lord  to  whom 
Ihall  ive  go  but  unto  Thee  ?  Thou  haft  the  words  of 
tternal  life,  and  we  believe,  and  are  fure  that  thou 
art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God.  Thtiir 
teflimony  being  mod  furely  believed  of  themfelves, 
it  carried  them  to  count  all  things  but  lofs  fqr  the  exr 
cellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  their 
Lord.  But  I  am  told,  that  the  addrefling  of  Jesus 
Christ  as  Lord,  is  not  an  evidence  that  the)'  be- 
lieved the  divinity  of  his  Perfon,  or  worfhipped  him, 
feeing  there  are  Lords  many,  and  the  term  Lord  is 
often  ufed  for  a  fuperior, 

But  I  cannot  think  the  inftances  that  I  have,  or 
that  might  be  mentioned,  can  be  thus  fet  afide  ;  and 
I  am  happy-  to  find  it  is  the  defcription  and  characley 
of  the  firft  difciples,  A^s  ix.  21.  Them  that  call  on 
this  name  :  And  the  ift  cpiftle  to  the  Corinthians  U 
not  only  direfted  to  the  chufch  of  Gon  at  Corinth  ; 
to  them  that  a^'e  fan^lified  in  Chrjst  Jesus,  called 
faints ;  but  to  all  that  in  every  place  call  upoi) 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  both  theirs 
and  ours.  It  feems  Faifl  thought  it  the  character  o( 
the  fanctified  in  Christ  Jesus.  And  dying  Step/ten 
addrefl'es  Jesus  as  the  object  of  his  worfhip,  in  die 
fame  language  with  which  Jesus  addrefles  the  father. 
They  {\oned  Stephen,  calling  upon,  and  faying.  Lord 
Jesus  receive  my  fpirit.  The  word  GOD  is  fupplied 
by  the  tranflators.  So  we  have  Stephen  addrefling 
Jesus  Christ,  as  the  objeft  of  his  worfhip  in  his 
inoft  ferious  and  miportant  dying  hour,  calling  upon 
and  faying,  Lord  Jesus  receive  my  fpirit.  Here  I 
thought  to  have  doled  what  I  intended,  upon  the 
evidence  of  the  fmcerity  of  the  apolllcs  and  firft  dii- 

ciplesj 


P  E  A  C  E  AND  J  O  Y.  4^ 

ciplcs,  in  their  belief  of  tlicir  teflimony  ;  being  fo 
fatisfied  therewith,  as  without  hefitation,  to  dire£l 
ikcir  worfhip  to  him,  as  the  true  God  and  eternal 
life  :  But  as  the  thought  has  been  objeBed  to  as 
^bove,  (and  bringing  the  callers  on  that  name  to  view 
is  agreeable)  I  would  a  little  further  purfue  the  I'ub- 
ject.  In  Mait.  xv.  .?2,  2,5,  we  have  a  woman  of  Ca- 
-naan  crying  unto  him,  liayiwg?  Have  mercy  on  me^  0 
LoRD>,  thoiL  Sgm  of  David  !  Then  came  fhe  and  wor- 
4hipped  him,  liiyin^^,  Lord,  help  me.  She  was  a  cal- 
ler on  that  name,  a  Ncw-Teftament  believer,  as  Jesus 
Christ  himfelf  teilifies  ;  O  woman,  great  is  thy 
faith  !  She  appears  to  be  divinely  taught  to  under^ 
ftand  the  question  the  pharifees  could  not  anfwer, 
what  think  ye  of  Christ,  whofe  fon  is  he  ?  They  fay 
unto  him  the  fon  oi David.  How  then  doth  Da/vtd 
in  fpirit  call  him  Lord,  faying, -the  Lord  faid  ta 
iny  Lord,  ht  thou  at  my  right  hand,  until  I  make 
thine  enemies  thy  foot  ftool.  If  David  then  call  him 
I, ORD,  how  is  he  his  fon?  She  looks  to  him  in  this 
united  charafler,  which  can  be  feen  in  God  manifcft 
in  the  flefli. 

In  the  17th  chap,  we  find  another  believer,  tho'  a 
weak  one,  caUing  on  that  name,  v.  ^4.  a  man  kneel- 
ing down  to  him  and  faying,  Lord  have  jnercy  on  my 
Jon.) for  he.  is  liuiatick^  and  fore  vexed.  I  call  him  a 
weak  one,  becaufe  Mark  fays.  He  addrcffed  Jesus 
with,  If  thou  canft  do  any  thing,  have  mercy  on  us 
and  help  us.  Jksus  faith  unto  him,  If  thou  can fl 
believe^  all  things  are  pojjtbk  to  hivi  that  hclieveth  : 
And  flraitway  the  father  of  the  child  cried  andfaidy 
with  tears,  hoRO  I hclUve,  help  thou  7ny  unbelief.  I 
might  take  notice  of  the  multitudes  that  came  and 
were  brought  to  Christ  for  healing,  whofe  faith  in 
and  worfhipping  Jesus  is  not  particularly  mentioned, 
though  it  is  clearly  implied ;  for  who  would  come 
themlclvcs,  or  bring  their  difcafcd  friends  to  be  heaU 

c4, 


i€  PEACE  AND  JO  Y. 

cd,  if  th^y  did  not  believe  him  able  to  heal  then?  ? 
And  fuch  as  were  healed  by  him,  previous  to  their 
knowledge  of  him,  and  without  their  application  tQ 
him,  were  thereby  brought  to  know  and  own  him,  as 
the  man  born  blind;  John  ix.  38.  He  faJd,  Lord  / 
believe^  and  he  worjhipped  him.  I  might  take  notice 
pf  the  calling  of  the  apoftles ;  of  Peters  confeflion, 
that  had  Christ's  approbation  ;  of  Nathaniel's  con- 
yiOtion  and  ponfelTiort  -,  of  Thomas,  who,  upon  con- 
viftion,  with  full  fatisfaction  faid,  MyLoRD  andviyGon; 
But  fhall  clofe  with  the  crucified  thief ;  Lord  remem- 
ber vie  when  thou  comejl  to  thy  kingdom.  Thus  the 
apoflles'  bearing  witnefs,  with  their  fincepty  herein, 
has  been  briefly  hinted  at.  The  Holy  Ghost  tef- 
tifying  of  Christ  in  connexion  therewith,  is  to  be 
feen  in  the  miracles  wrought  by  the  apoftle?,  in  con- 
firmation of  their  teftimohy,  by  which  God  bare  wit- 
nefs witli  figns  and  wonders,  and  divers  miracles,  and 
gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  according  to  his  own  will  ; 
%vhen  it  was  the  divine  will  that  miracles  fhould  be; 
wrought,  in  confirmation  of  the  witnefs  of  the  refur- 
reftion  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  which  the  apoftles  bare. 
Perhaps  it  would  be  too  lengthy  to  recite  the  many 
miracles  wrought  by  the  apoftles,  in  confirmation  oi 
their  dodrine,  the  healing^the  lame  man  has  been  al- 
ready mentioned.  I  fliall  only  recite  the  paflkge  in 
A6ls.  v.  12,.  And  by  the  hand^  of  the  apoftles  were, 
many  figns  and  wonders  wrought  among  the  people  ; 
infomuch  as  they  brought  the  fick  into  the  ftreets,  and 
laid  on  beds  and  couches,  that  at  the  Icaft,  the  {hadow 
of  Peter's  pafling  by  might  overfliadow  fome  of  them. 
Then  came  alfo  a  multitude  out  of  the  cities  round 
about  unto  Jerufalem,  bringing  fick  folks,  and  them 
that  were  vexed  with  unclean  fpirits  j  and  they  were 
healed  every  one.  Wiflh  the  miracles  which  Philip 
did,  in  confirmation  of  the  preaching  of  Christ  in 
Samaria^  which  are  thus  recorded  3  Unclean  fpirits, 

crying 


PEACE  AND  JOY.  4J 

i6r)ing  with  a  loud  voice,  came  out  of  many  that  were 
poflblTed  ;  and  many  taken  with  palfies,and  that  were 
}ame,  were  healed.  And  that  God  wrought  fpecial 
miracles  by  the  hands  of  Paul,  fo  that  fram  his  body 
were  brought  handkerchiefs  or  aprons,  and  the  dif- 
eafes  departed  from  them,  and  the  evil  fpirits  went 
out  of  them. 

But  here  may  arife  an  enquiry,  in  that  we  are  told 
of  the  coming  of  antichrift,  whoie  coming  is  after  the 
working  of  fatan,  with  all  power,  and  figns,  and  lying 
wonders,  and  with  alt  decervablenefs  of  unrighteoul- 
nefs,  2  The/,  ii.  9.  10.  And  of  the  beaft,the  fpirit  of 
devils,  and  the  falfe  prophet,  Rev.  xiii.  13,  14 — xvi. 
14 — xix.  20  'i  that  wrought  miracles,  whereby  mer\ 
were  deceived.  How  may  the  difference  be  known, 
between  the  mirzicles  wrought  by  Jesus  Christ  and 
his  ap^ftle%undet  the  influenee  of  iheH^i.Y  Ghost, 
in  confirmation  of  the  doftrine  of  Christ,  and  the 
figns,  wonders  and  miracles  of  antichrift,  the  beaft, 
falfe  prophet  and  fpirit  of  devils. 

To  which  it  may  be  replied.  That  there  are  iw9 
ihings  ever  obfervable  in  the  miracles  wrought  by 
Jesus  Christ  and  his  Apoftles. 

Ift.  They  were  to  teftify  of  CHRrST. 

Ildly.  To  relieve  the  afflided. 

Ift.  To  teftify  of  Christ.  Thofe  wrought  by 
Jesus  Christ  were  to  manifeft  his  true  character  ; 
to  prove  his  claim  to  be  the  Son  of  God,  one  with 
the  Father.  If  ye  believe  not  me,  believe  the  w^orks, 
the  works  I  do  in  my  Father's  name  bear  witnefs  of 
me. 

So  alfo  thofe  wrought  by  the  hands  of  the  Apof- 
tles were  to  teftify  of  him,  agreeable  to  what  Jesus 
Christ  faidunto  them.  He JJiall tejiify  oj me^  andyc 
alio  ftiall  bear  witnefs  becaufe  ye  ha\  e  been  with  me 
from  the  beginning.  While  they  btar  witnefs  to  the 
refurre6tion  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  miracles  wrought 

by 


48  t*E  A  CE  A>TD  j  0  V. 

by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  tefl:*ified  of  ?>.^ 
truth  wliicli  they  bear  witnefs  to.  It  was  not  tlie  pie^^ 
ty?  power  or  holinefs  of  the  Apbftlcs ;  they  declared 
themiclves  to  be  men  of  like  pafTions  with  their  hear- 
ers :  But  it  was  the  dignity  and  glory  of  Chiust  that 
vas  hereby  rhade  manifeft. 

I  Idly.  They  were  to  relieve  the  afFlifted,  bath  in 
their  bodies  and  minds.  For  infhmce,  let  us  view 
the  man  fick  of  the  palfy,  believing  Jesus,  when  he 
iaid,  Son  thy  fins  be  forgiven  thee^  and  his  afflitted 
mind  is  relieved.  He  is  of  good  cheer  indeed,  and 
that  his  faith  might  be  confirmed,  as  well  as  that  oth- 
ers might  know  he  had  power  on  earth  to  forgive 
fms,  he  is  bid  to  atife,  take  up  his  couch  and  go 
to  his  houfe.  His  body  is  relieved,  and  he  is  able  to 
cany  that  on  which  he  lay,  out  before  them  all. 

The  like  may  be  faid  of  all  the  mhacles  wrought 
by  Jesus  Christ  ;  they  were  all  miracles  of  mercy 
to  the  blind,  deaf,  dumb,  maimed,  poffefled,  &c.  not 
the  pooreft,  meanefl:,  moft  deflitute  and  mifcrablc, 
ever  caft  out^  that  came  to  him^nor  any  cafe  beyond 
his  power^  whereby  he  was  ftill  manifefting  himlelf 
mightv  to  fave.  Thcie  are  left  on  record  both  as  tlic 
ground  of  our  faith  in  him,  and  as  an  encouragement 
for  the  moft  dejetled  and  abjcft  children  of  men,  to 
look  to  him  from  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  and  be  fa- 
ved,  whatever  be  their  diRrcffes. 

Thus  were  the  miracles  wrought  by  the  apoftles, 
miracles  of  relief  to  the  afflifted,  both  in  their  bo- 
dies and  minds.  ,Xet  us  view  the  inftance  of  the 
lame  man  that  never  had  walked,  though  above  for- 
ty years  old,  to  whom  Ptttr  faid.  Silver  and  gold 
have  I  none,  but  fuch  as  I  have  give  I  thee  in  the. 
name,  of  Jiisus  Christ,  of  Nazareth^  rfe  up  and 
zoalk.  See  him  leaping  and  walking  ;  and  we  iee 
him  relieved  of  his  bodily  infirmity  ;  view  him  praif. 
ing  God  ;  and  we  fee  his  mind   relieved.     Seethe 

fequcl  i 


PEACE  AND  JOY.  49 

fequel  ;  and  we  fee  it  is  by  Jesus  of  Nazareth^  who 
was  crucified,  whom  God  raifed  from  the  dead,  and 
to  confirm  the  witnefs  the  apoftlcs  bare  of  him  :  But 
the  deceivable  miracles, 

I  ft.  Teftify  of  men. 

Ildly.  Eftablifli  falihood. 

Illdly.  Lead  men  into  flavifh  fear,  darknefs  and 
perplexity. 

Ift.  They  teftify  of  men,  AB$  viii.  9.  Simon  ufed 
forcery  and  bewitched  the  people,  giving  out  that 
himfelf  vidiS  fome  great  one,  to  whom  they  gave  heed. 
So  antichrift,  fpoken  of  by  the  apoftles,  2  Thejf.  ii. 
whofc  coming  is  after  the  working  of  fatan,  with  all 
power,  and  figns,  and  lying  wonders,  and  with  all 
deceivablenefs  of  unrighteoufnefs,is  he  who  oppofeth 
andexalteth  himfelf  above  all  that  is  called  God, or 
that  is  wor/hipped  ;  fo  ^hat  he,  as  God,  fitteth  in  the 
temple  of  God,  fhewing  himfelf  that  he  is  God. 
This  was  undoubtedly  manifeft  when  the  authority 
of  the  church  was  held  more  facred  than  the  written 
word,  and  a  meafure  of  it  is  to  be  feen  wherever  the 
decrees,  counfels,  confefFions  and  catechifms  of  men 
are  preferred  before  the  written  word,  or  where  they 
appear  to  have  more  weight  and  influence  :  The 
ground  of  this  is,  they  were  wonderfully  pious,  learn- 
ed and  holy  men,  who  were  not  likely  to  be  deceiv- 
ed, and  we  have  been  ready  to  fay,  if  we  were  as 
good  as  they  we  Ihould  not  fear,  which  is  idolatry, 
putting  the  creature  in  the  place  of  the  Creator ;  16 
worfhipping  and  ferving  the  creature  more  than  the 
Creator,  who  is  God,  bleffed  forever. 

Ildly.  To  eftablifli  falftiood,  to  lead  the  mind  from 
the  fountain  of  living  waters,  to  broken  cifterns  that 
can  hold  no  water ;  for  while  they  teftify  of  the  pi- 
ety and  holinefs  of  men,  and  lead  to  the  above-men- 
tioned idolatry,  they  teftify  of  that  which  is  not,  of 
error  and  falfhood  :  Becaufe  the  fcripture  teftifies  of 
G  man 


50  P  E  A  C  E  AND  J  O  Y.  / 

man,  That  there  is  none  righteous,  no  not  one ;  they 
are  all  gone  out  of  the  way  ;  all  we  like  llieep 
have  gone  aftray.  When  we  look  to  men  there  is 
no  clufter  to  eat,  the  good  is  periflied  out  of  the  earth, 
and  none  upright  among  meh  -,  the  beft  of  them  is 
a  briar,  the  moft  upright,  fharper  thah  a  thorn  hedge : 
So  it  leads 

Illdly.  To  flavijfh  fear,  darknefs  and  perplexity. 
The  fear  of  man  bringeth  a  fnare  ;  the  fpirit  of  anti- 
chrifl  tellifying  of  man,  bringing  their  perfons  into 
admiration,  tends  to  fubjeft  men  to  them  for  their 
fuppofed  piety  and  importance,  and  to  look  to 
them  as  their  guides,  and  to  look  to  themfelves, 
in  order  to  qualify  them  to  look  to  Jesus,  in 
manner  and  form  as  they  fliall  dire£l  them,  which 
will  foon  bewilder  and  perplex  them  with  the  anxious 
inquiry,  what  lack  I  yet,  to  adorn  myfelf  fuitably  to 
go  to  Jesus,  that  I  may  obtain  falvation  by  him  ? 

Thefumof  the  anfwer  to  the  above  inquiry  is, 
E\'ery  fpirit  that  confefleth  that  Jesus  is  come  in  the 
flefli,  is  of  God  ;  for  if  Jesus  is  come  in  the  flefh,  he 
hath  in  our  nature  and  in  our  ftead,  fulfilled  all  righ- 
teoufnefs,  obeyed  the  precept  and  fuffered  the  penal- 
ty of  the  law,  which  is  manifeft,  in  his  refurredion 
from  the  dead,  when  he  rofe  forour  juftification  ;  the 
belief  of  this  truth  relieves  the  mind,  and  gives  the 
anfwer  of  a  good  confcience  towards  God. 

But  every  fpirit  that  confefTeth  not  that  Jesus  \& 
come  in  the  flefh,  is  not  of  God  ;  the  fpirit  that  leads 
us  to  look  to  men  and  to  ourfelves,  to  put  forth  a 
helping  hand  to  intereft  us  in  the  divine  favour,  and 
infifts  that  the  work  of  Christ  is  not  itfelf  alone  all- 
fufhcient  to  recommend  us  thereto,  is  the  fpirit  of  an- 
tichrifl,  1  John^  iv.  3.  It  may  be  faid,antichrift  holds 
forth  the  evidences  of  the  truth  of  the  gofpel,  as  the 
apoftles  foretold  of  the  rife,  reign,  confumption  and 
deftruftion  of  antichrift,  who  hath  arifen  and  reigned 
even  over  the  kings  of  the  earth,  whom  the  Lord  has 

been 


PE  A  CE  AND  J  O  Y.  51 

been  confuming  with  the  fpirit  of  his  mouth,  and  wili 
dcftroy  by  the  brightnefs  of  his  coming. 

The  fpirit  of  aniichrift,  whofe  coming  is  after  the 
working  of  fatan,  with  all  power,  figns,and  lying  won- 
ders, as  it  teftifies  of  men,  and  has  raifed  them  into 
places  of  profit,  worldly  honour  and  power  over  their 
fellow  creatures,  has  led  men  into  bondage  and  flave- 
ry  to  thofe  thus  raifed,  and  into  darknefs  and  perplexi- 
ty, fubjecling  them  to  religious  tyranny  and  perfecu- 
tion,  fo  as  to  change  the  appearance  of  primitive 
chriltianity,  and  prejudice  the  minds  of  unbelievers, 
both  Jews  and  Gentiles,  againft  the  chriftian  religion. 

The  fpirit  of  Christ  which  teftifies  of  him  bows 
down  the  loftinefs,  and  lays  low  the  haughtinefs  of 
men,  fo  that  the  Lord  alone  is  exalted:  And  where 
the  fpirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  liberty,  light,  joy 
and  gladnefs  ;  and  inen  are  taught  thereby  to  love 
their  enemies,  to  do  good  to  them  that  hate  them, 
and  pray  for  them  that  defpitefully  ufe  and  perfecute 
them,  to  love  one  another  as  he  hath  loved  them,  and 
by  lovcio  ferve  one  another:  The  confideration  of 
which  evidences  and  manifefts  the  New-Teftament 
religion  to  be  divine,  and  the  author  of  it  to  be  the 
Alpha  and  Omega,  the  begining  and  the  ending,  the 
firft  and  the  laft  ;  and  fo  far  as  it  prevails  it  cannot 
fail  to  recommend  the  religion  that  teaches  and  in- 
forces  it  to  the  confciences  of  all  men.  By  this  fhall 
all  men  know^;'^  are  my  difciples,  if  ye  love  one  another. 


PART       III. 

The  Jews  an  Evidence  of  the  Truth  before  us. 

1  MIGHT  farther  add,  that  the  Jews  may  be 
brought  in  as  another  evidence  to  the  truth  before  us, 
as  they  are  preferved  in  the  providence  of  God,  in 
their  difperfions  among  the  nations  cleaving  to  Mofes^ 

who 


52  PEACE  A^rD  JOY. 

who  wrote  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  living  witneffes  of 
the  truth  of  the  record  of  the  Old-Teftaiiient  fcrip- 
tures,  from  which  fcriptures  the  apoftles  of  the  Lord 
and  Saviour  proved  the  truth  of  what  they  teftified 
concerning  Jesus,  as  being  fulfilled  in  him.  So  like- 
wife  in  the  fulfilment  of  what  Jesus  Christ  faid 
concerning  them,  that  fiiould  be  confeaucnt  on  their 
rejefting  him  and  perfecuting  his  difciples. 

Ift.  Their  rejefting  him  ;  fee  the  parable  of  the 
vineyard,  Mait.  xxi.  38,  41.  Mark  xii.  7,  8,  9.  Luke 
XX.  14,  15,16.  He  fays  in  Mafi.  xxiii.  37,  38,  and 
Luke  xiii.  34,  35.  O  !  Jervfakm^  Jej-ufaltm  f  Thou 
that  killed  the  prophets  and  ftoneft  them  that  arefent 
unto  you  !  How  often  would  1  have  gathered  you  as 
a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings,  but 
ye  would  not !  Behold  your  hoiife  is  left  unto  ym  dtr 
folate  \  Soalfoin  Matt,  xxiy^.  12 — -Mark  xxi.  5,  6, 
when  his  difciples  called  him  to  view  the  (tones  ancj 
the  building  of  the  temple,  he  faid,  Verily  J  fay  unto 
you,  there  JJiall  not  he  left  oneflone  upon  another  thai 
Jhall-not  be  thrown  ^oww  ;  which  had  its,  literal  ac- 
complifliment  in  the  deftruftion  of  Jerufalevuzn^  the 
temple,  and  the  very  place  where  they  ftood  plough- 
ed as  a  field,  according  to  the  prophet  Micah,  which 
was  confequent  on  their  reje^ing  him  :  And, 

Ildly.  Perfecuting  his  difciples  ;  Matt.  kxi.  from 
34.  Wherefore  behold.  I  fend  you  prophets  and  wife  men 
andfcribes,  and  of  them  ye  JJiall  kill  and  cru^fy, 
and  of  them  ye  Jhall  fcourge  in  your  fynagogues^ 
and  perfecute  from  city  to  city.  Jesus  told  them 
this  Oiould  come  upon  them,  previous  to  the  deftruc- 
tion  of  Jerufalem ;  for  when  he  was  fpeaking  of  that 
event,  he  tells  them,  Luke  xxi.  12,  16.  But  before  all 
thefe  they  Jhall  lay  their  hands  on  you  and  perfecute  ^de- 
livering you  up  to  the  fynagogues,  and  into  prifons,  be- 
ing brought  before  kings  and  rluersfor  my  name  fake. 
And  ye  fhall  be  betrayed  both  by  parents  and  brethren^ 
and  kinsfolks  and  friends ;  and  of  you  JJiall  they  cauft 

to 


PEACE  AN'D  JOY.  f^ 

to  be  put  to  death.  And  as  he  fgretold  of  the  dtOruq- 
\\ono{  J eriifalan  and  the  temple,  and  warned  nia  dis- 
ciples of  what  they  fliould  meet  with,  or  what  ihould 
befall  them  :  So  he  gave  them  a  token,  which  they 
underftood,  when  to  make  their  efcapp  from  thoCc 
dreadful  calamities,  Matt.  xxiv.  15  and  onwjird— 
Mark  xiii,  from  v.  14^— Luke  xx\.  20,  &:e. 

I  fuppofe  there  is  a  fund  of  evidence  to  the  truth 
before  us,  in  what  befel  the  chil4ren  of  IJracU  in  all 
that  came  upon  them,  the  blefling  and  die  curfe  ;  and 
their  being  rooted  out  of  their  land,  in  anger  and 
\yrath,  and  great  indignation,  and  caft  into  another 
land,  as  at  this  day,  mentioned  Dtut.  xxix.  !?8 — xxx- 
1  ;  which  win  more  fully  appear  when  v.  6  fhajrl  havp 
its  accomplifiinient :  And,  the  Lord  thy  God  piall 
circumcife  thy  heart  and  the  heart  oj  thy  feed ^  to  loxic 
the  hoKD  thy  God  with  all  f,hine  heart  and  toil h  aU 
thy  foul,  that  thoumayfl  live  ;  -yvliich  js  fimiUr  to  the 
prophecy  If  a.  lix.  20-;  which  is  thus  quoted  by  the 
Apoftle,  Rom.  xi.  26  :  As  it  is  writen,  There  jhoXl 
come  out  of  Zion  the  Deliverer,  G,nd  turn  azuay  ungodli- 
nefs  from  Jacob.  For  this  my  covenant  unto  than, 
when  I  Jhall  _  take  azuay  their  fi7i/S.  This  is  tot^k£ 
place,  according  to  the  Apoftle,  when  the  fuli^efs 
of  the  Gentiles  fhall  come  in,  and  fo  all  Ifrael  fhall  be 
faved  ;  for  notwithftanding  they  are,  as  concerning 
the  Gofpel,  enemies  for  the  fake  of  the  Gentiles,  yet, 
as  touching  the  cle6lion,  they  are  beloved  for  their 
Father's  fake,  for  the  gifts  and  calling  of  God  are 
without  repentance.  I  apprehend  Jesus  Christ 
fpeaks  of  the  fame  thing  when  he  fays.  Ye  fiiall  nqt 
fee  me  until  ye  fay,  Blcjfed  is  he  that  ccmeth.iTi-  fU 
name  of  the  Lord.  Thus  the  prophet  fpake.of  J,?,- 
si] s,Pfalm  cxvjii.  26.  Thus  the  multitudes,  MaiU 
xxi.  9.  that  went  before  and  that  followed  after  Jesus, 
riding  to  Jferufalem,  cried  Hofanna !  JS/^^  w  he 
that  Cometh  in  the  7iame  of  (lie  Lord  !  And  ihus  fhall 

the 


54  P  E  A  C  E  AND  J  O  Y. 

the  Jfwi>  do  when  their  hearts  are  circumcifed  to 
love  the  Lord  their  God  with  all  their  hearts. 

Thus  have  I  hinted  at  many  particulars,  wherein 
the  evidences  of  the  truth  of  the  good  news  of  the 
gofpel  are  contained,  as  knowing  that  where  the 
character  of  |esus  Christ  is  underftood,  and  the 
evidences  of  the  truth  teftified  of  him  are  fatisfaftory 
to  the  mind,  nothing  can  hinder  rejoicing  in  him  ; 
forfo  fureashe  is  God  manifefl  in  the  flefh,  as  his 
claim  to  Deity  isjuft,  as  he  rofe  again  from  the  dead, 
fo  fure  was  his  obedience  in  our  nature  perfeB:,  and 
his  one  facrifice  did  forever  take  away  fin.  The  Fa- 
ther is  well  pleafed  for  his  righteoufncfs  fake, 
and  we  are  made  accepted  in  the  beloved  ;  for, 
lays  the  Apoftle,  all  things  are  of  God,  who  hath 
reconciled  us  to  hmfelf  hy  Jesus  Christ;  and  le aft 
that  fhould  be  looked  upon  as  the  privilege  of  the 
Apoftles  and  firft  chriftians  only,  he  adds,  God 
was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto  hi7njtffi 
not  imputing  their  trejpajfes  unto  them  ;  for  he 
hath  made  him  Jin  for  us  who  knew  no  fn,  that  we 
might  he  made  the  righteoifnefs  of  God  in  him. 
Hence  arifes  the  anfwer  of  a  good  confcience  to- 
wards God,  by  the  refurreftion  of  Jesus  Christ, 
which  the  Apoftle  calls  the  baptifm  that  now  faves 
us  ;  fo  that  the  perfon  whofe  mind  was  juft  now  per- 
plexed with  a  fenfe  of  guilt,  full  of  anxiety  and  dif- 
trefs,  turning  every  way  with  difappointment  to  bro- 
ken cifterns  that  can  hold  no  water,  upon  under- 
ftanding  the  import  of  the  refurre6tion  of  Jesus 
Christ, finds  that  which  quiets  his  mind  and  anfwers 
all  objeftions,  agreeable  to  the  Apoftle,  Rom.  viii. 
It  is  God  that  juftifieth,  who  is  he  that  condemneth  ? 
It  is  Christ  that  died  ;  yea,  rather  that  is  rifen  again 
from  the  dead.  We  read  of  being  begotten  again  tp 
a  lively  hope  by  the  refurrcftion  of  Jesus  Christ 
from  the  dead,  i  Pet.  i.  4. 

CHAP. 


I>E  A  C  E  AND  J  O  Y.  55 


CHAP.        V. 

The  good  contained  in  the  Truth  thus  evidenced,  ani 
our  Obligation  to  keep  it  always  in  Reir^-inbrance. 

i  H  I  S  leads  to  the  confideration  of  the  good 
contained  in  the  glad  tidings  of  the  Gofpel,  which 
refpefcls  both  the  life  that  now  is  and  that  which  is  to 
come,  being  furnifhed  with  the  anfwer  of  a  good  con- 
fcience  towards  God,  by  the  refurreftion  of  Jesus 
Christ,  under  a  fenfeof  our  own  guilt,  inability  and 
folly,  and  the  various  caufes  of  fliame,  fear  and  terror 
that  arife  from  a  view  of  ourfelves,  to  have  affurance 
from  the  fcriptures  ^A<3^  Christ  was  delivered  for  our 
offences,  and  rofe  again  for  ov/r  ^ujiification,  Rom.  iv, 
25.     That  Christ  died  for  our  fins  according  to  the 
fcriptures,  and  that  he  was  buried  and  rofe  again  the 
third  day,  according  to  the  fcriptures,  1  Cor.  xv.  3,4, 
fhews  our  peace  is  made  with  Geo  by  him  who  is  our 
peace,  and  hath  made  peace   by   the  blood  of  his 
crofs.     The  work  is  finifhed  in   his   death,  and  wit- 
neffed  in  his  rcfurredion  ;  the  hope  we  are  begotten 
to  is  a  lively  hope,  a  hope  that  maketh  not  afhamed; 
of  which  the   Apoftle  fpcaks,  Rom.  v.  5.     For  when 
he  fpeaks   of  Jesus   being   delivered    for  our  of- 
fences,   and    being   raifed   again    for    our    juftifi- 
cation,  ch.  iv.  25,  he  adds,  ch.  v.  1.     There/ore  be- 
ing jujlijied  :    upon  believing   this   truth,  zve  hav€. 
peace   with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
by  whom   we   have   accefs  by  faith  into  this  grace 
wherein  we  now  fland,  and  rejoice  in  the  hope  of  the 
glory  of  God.     This  made  them  glory   in    tribula- 
tion, which  wrought  patience,  experience  apd  hope  ; 
and  this  hope    maketh    not   afhamed,  bccaufe  the 
love   of  God  is  Ihed   abroad  in  our   hcans   b)'  ihe 
Hoi.y  Ghost,  which  is  given  to  us.     }lo\':  was  ihr 

\o\  f 


i6  T]£  ACE  AND  J  O  Y. 

love  of  God  filed  abroad  in  their  hearts,  but  in  their 
being  fatisfied  and  aflbred  of  the  truth  of  the  mani- 
feftationofit  in  the  death  and  refurretlion  of  Jesus 
Christ,  as  the  Apoftle  adds  in  the  nQi.Kt  verfe;  For 
■when  we  v«*re  without  ftrength  Christ  died  for  the 
ungodly,  who  was  delivered  for  our  offences,  and  rofe 
again  for  our  juftification  :  Therefore  the  hope  that 
comes  thereby  is  a  lively  hope,  fpringing  from  the 
truth,  from  the  perfe6l  work  of  Christ  ;  not  the  hope 
of  the  hypocrite;  for  what  is  that,  though  he  hath  gain- 
ed.; though  he  hath  gained  a  good  opinion  of  himfelf, 
as  being  diftinguilhed  from  fome  of  his  fellow-crea- 
tures in  point  of  acceptance  with  God,  on  account 
of  fomething  wrought  in  or  done  by  him  ;  will  it  do 
to  mention  before  God  wJien  trouble  comes  ?  Will 
he  hear  his  cry  on  that  aopount  ?  Will  he  hear  hirh 
in  his  own  n^me-?— Or  though  he  hath  gained  the  good 
opinion  of, others,  what  is  it  when  God  takes  away 
his  foul  ?  Hopes  from  this  quarter  is  as  a  fpider's  web, 
as  the  giving  up  the  ghoft  :  While  the  hope  that  comes 
by  the  rcfurreBion  of  Christ  maketh  not  aftiamed, 
is  a  lively  hope.  This  is  the  Gofpel  which  the  Apof- 
tle  preached,  by  which,  fays  he,  ye  are  faved,  if  ye 
keep  in  memory  what  I  preached  unto  you,  unlefs  ye 
have  believed  in  vain.  How  believed  in  vain  ?  If 
Christ  be  not  raifed  your  faith  is  vain,  and  you 
are  yet  in  your  fins :  But,  fays  he.  Now  is  Christ 
rifen  and  become  the  firll  fruits  of  them  that  flept. 
Hence  it  follows,  their  faith  is  not  vain,  they  be- 
lieved a  truth ;  therefore  did  not  believe  in  vain,  there- 
fore they  are  not  in  their  fins,  they  arc  faved  by  the 
gofpel,  the  hope  is  a  lively  hope. 

Begotten  to  a  lively  hope  ;  to  an  inheritance  iin- 
defiled  and  that  fadeth  not  away,  referved  in  the 
Heavens. 

'     To  an   inheritance  ;  to  as  many  as  received  him, 
or  bslieved  the  truth  concerning  him,  or  received  his 

teftimony. 


P  E  A  C  E  AND  j  d  Y.  57 

tefiirnony,  to  them  gave  lie  power  to  become  the 
fons  of  God;  and  if  thildren,  then  heirs,  heirsof  Gqd, 
joint  heirs  with  Christ  ;  who  inherits  all  things,  and 
could  fay,  All  that  the  Father  hath  is  mine;  all 
mine  are  thine,  and  thine  are  mine  ;  who  has 
prayed  for  his  difciples  that  they  ma)^  be  with 
him  to  behold  his  glory,  and  hath  faid  unto  them, 
Becaufe  I  live,  ye  fliall  live  alfo.  This  his  inheri- 
tance is  incorriiptible,  and  will  never  fade  away,  be- 
caufe it  is  his  in  pcrfe£l  rightcoufhefs,  and  altogether 
undefiled,  and  it  is  beyond  the  reach  of  moth,  rull  or 
thieves,  being  referved  in  the  Heavens. 

Thefe  hints  lead  to  a  contemplation  of  that  good 
tv^hichis  contained  in  the  gofpel,  which  hath  height 
and  depth,  length  and  breadth,  that  paffeth  know- 
ledge, as  it  refpefts  the  prefent  life,  and  leads  to  an 
imderftanding  of  the  mie  man's  queftion  and  anfwer, 
in  Ecclcf.  vi.  12 — -vii.  1.  Who  knoweth  vzhat  good 
for  man  in  life,  or  what  is  man's  chief  good  all  the 
days  of  his  vain  life,  \i'hich  hefpendeth  a-s  a  fliadow? 
The  anfwer  is,  a  name  better  than  precious  ointment, 
the  name  above  every  name,  the  knowledge  of  which 
fliews  the  day  of  a  man's  death  better  than  the  day  of 
his  birth;  this  is  man's  chief  good  in  life.  He  that 
findeth  me,  findeth  life,  and  fhall  obtain  favour  of  the 
Lord  ;  Whofo  harkeneth  unto  me  fliall  dwell  fafely, 
and  be  quiet  from  fear  of  evil,  as  knowing  that  all 
things  fhall  work  together  for  good,  to  them  tliat  love 
God,  to  them  that  are  called  according  to  his  pur- 
pofe.  And  with  refpeB  to  the  life  to  come,  if  the 
apoftle  faith,  eye  hath  not  fcen,  nor  car  heard,  nei- 
ther have  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  the  things 
that  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him,  wtll 
may  1  leave  it  in  the  admiring  language  of  the  Pfalm- 
ift,  O  how  great  is  thy  goodnefs  which  thou  haft  laid 
up  for  them  that  fear  thee  !  Thou  haft  wrought  for 
them  that  truft  in  thee,  before  tl.c  fons  of  men. 

H  May 


^8  PEACE  AND  J  O  Y. 

May  I  never  forget  this  truth,  that  is  thus  evidenc- 
ed, and  contains  in  it  man's  chief  good  in  this  Hfe  and 
x\h  life  to  come.  When  the  apoflle  would  have  Ti- 
mothy  be  ftrong  in  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus', 
and  endure  hardnefs  as  a  good  foldier  of,  Jesus 
Christ, he  tells  him  to  remember  ^A<?/!  Jesus  Christ, 
of  the  feed  of  David,  was  raifed  from  the  dead,  as  that 
which  was  all-fufficient  to  animate  him  hereunto ;  and 
%vhen  he  gives  the  Corinthians  a  brief  account  of  the 
gofpel,  diat  he  and  his  fellow-apoflles  preached,  how 
that  Christ  died  for  our  fins,  and  was  buried  and 
rofe  again  the  third  day,  according  to  the  fcriptures, 
and  that  he  was  fcen  of  his  chofen  witneffes,  many  of 
■which  were  then  alive,  though fome  had  fallen  aflcep, 
he  fays,  of  this  gofpel,  by  which  ye  are  favcd,  if  wc 
keep  in  memory  what  I  preached  unto  you.  How  is  he 
to  be  underflood  ?  Doth  the  gofpel  fave  en  condition 
of  keeping  in  memory,  fo  that  if  they  forgot  it  they 
were  loft  ? 

I  conceive  the  meaning  of  the  apoflle  to  be  as  if 
he  had  faid,  what  I  have  preached  is  a  precious  truth, 
in  which  is  all  our  falvation.  Now  then  if  thofe  that 
believe  this  truth,  keep  it  in  memory,  it  will  faye 
ihem  from  innumerable  evils  they  will  otherways  be 
expofed  to  :  For  in  this  truth  there  is  a  fource  of  ob- 
ligation and  confolation  which  ought  always  to  be 
kept  in  memory. 

Firft.     For  obligation. 

The  remembrance  that  Jesus  Christ  died  for 
our  finsj  and  rofe  again  for  our  juftification,  will  al- 
ways demonftrate  to  the  mind,  that  we  are  not  our 
own,  but  bought  with  a  price,  and  obliged  to  glorify 
him  in  our  fpirits  and  bodies  which  are  his :  So  that 
when  temptation  befets  lis,  to  induce  us  to  acl,  ac- 
cording to  our  own  lufts  in  oppofition  to  his  will  con- 
cerning us ;  to  a6l  according  to  the  prince  of  the 
power  of  the  air,  the  fpirit  that  now  worketh  in  the 

children 


P  E  A  C  E  AND  J  O  Y.  59 

children  of  difobedience.  Tlie  remembrance  ofihis 
truth,  is  like  taking  the  fhicld  of  faith,  which  quq^i- 
ches  the  fier\'  darts'of  the  devil.  Under  this  head  of 
obligation  may  be  faid,  (ift,)  We  arc  hereby  put  in 
mind  of  the  apoftle's  exhortation,  he  ye  reconciled  to 
God  ;  which  he  inforccth  from  the  certainty  of  this 
truth  :  For  he  hath  made  him  to  be  fm  for  us,  who 
knew  no  fin,  that  we  "might  be  made  the  righteoufnefs 
of  God  in  him.  Seeing  God  was  in  Christ  recon- 
ciling the  world  to  himlelf,  where  is  enmity  ?  It  muft 
be  in  us  ;  therefore  be  ye  reconciled  unto  God  ;  to 
his  way  of  reconciling  us  to  himfelf,  to  which  we  are 
by  nature  enemies,  our  pride  of  heart  would  not  be 
thus  beholden  ;  but  it  is  the  way  infinitely  wife,  in 
which  mercy  and  truth  meet  together,  righteoufnefs 
and  peace  embrace  each  other,  in  which  our  falva- 
tion  is  fecured,  our  haughtinefs  humbled  and  the 
Lord  alone  is  exalted.  Be  ye  reconciled  to  God, 
to  all  his  difpenfations  towards  us,  which  all  come 
from  him  who  is  love,  with  a  defign  of  love  to  us  : 
Be  ye  reconciled  to  be  at  his  difpofe  through  life, 
and  rcfigned  tohim  in  death  ;  to  look  on  ourfelves, 
our  children,  our  eftates,  our  time  and  talents,  as  all 
belonging  to  him,  to  be  improved  to  his  glory,  while 
he  intrufts  us  with  them  ;  to  be  refigned  when  he 
calls  for  them,  with  thankful nefs  that  we  have  fo  long 
enjoyed  them.  Blefl'ed  Jesus,  thou  haft  taught  us 
to  pray,  ,.Thy  will  be  done  !  (2dly.)  The  remem- 
brance of  this  truth  obliges  us  to  be  reconciled  one 
to  another,  and  live  in  love  and  peace,  one  with  ano- 
ther. For  a  pcrfon  to  have  all  his  hopes  folely  found- 
ed on  the  free  fbrgivencfsof  ten  thoufand  talents,  and 
have  his  brother  by  the  throat  for  a  few  pence,  how 
inconfiltent  and  ungreatful  muft  it  appear!  To  fee 
an  injury,  perhaps  only  a  fuppofed  one,  not  real,  or 
^n  accidental  one,  not  dcfigned  ;  or  if  it  be  real  and 
(iefigncd,  to  fee  it  hoaj-ded  up  in  the  mind  ;  to  nurfe 


6o  PEACE  AND  JOY. 

up  alienation,  anger,  revenge,  &"c.  how  contrary  is  it 
to  the  fplrit  of  the  gofpel  !  To  the  example  of  Jesus 
Christ,  who  prayed  for  his  enemies,  and  hath  di- 
re6led  his  difciples,  But  love  ye  your  enemies ;  as  alfq 
to  the  direction  of  the  apoftle,  Dearly  beloved,  avetige 
not  yourfelves,  but  rather  give  place  to  wrath  ;  for  it 
is  written,  vengeance  is  mine^  I  will  repay,  fatth  the 
Lord.  Therefore,  if  thiiic  enemy  hunger^  feed  him  ; 
if  hethirfi,  ghc  him  drink  ;  for  info  doing  thoujiiali 
heap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head.  Be  not  overcome  of 
(vil,  but  overcome  evil  with  good. 

Secondly.  This  truth  is  alv/ays  to  be  kept  in  re- 
membrance as  a  fource  of  confolation  :  He  is  the 
living  fpring  of  everlafting  confolation.  It  is  God 
that  juftifieth,  who  is  he  that  condemneth  ?  It  is 
Christ  that  died,  yea  rather  that  is  rifen  again  from 
the  dead,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who 
alfo  maketh  interceffion  for  us.  Who  fhali  feparate 
us  from  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  ?  Jesus 
Christ  is  juftified  \r\  the  fpirit,  declared  to  be  the  Soi^ 
of  God  with  powqr,  according  to  the  fpirit  of  holi- 
nefs,  by  the  refurredion  from  the  dead.  Is  the  head 
rifen  ?  Is  the  head  juftified  ?  Who  fliall  feparate  the 
members  from  a  participation  therein  ?  Shall  the 
tribulation,  or  diftrefs,  or  famine,  or  nakednefs,  or 
perfecution  or  peril,  or  fword  they  may  be  expofed 
to.?  Nay,  in  all  thefe  things  they  are  more  than  con-; 
querors  through  him  that  loved  them.  Let  this  truth 
be  forgotten  in  tribulation  and  diftrefs,  they  lay  hard 
on,  look  dark  and  gloomy  ;  which  we  are  faved  from 
hy  keeping  the  truth  in  memory.  • 

To  illuftrate  my  meaning  by  a  (imilitude  :  If  I  hav^* 
?i  family  full  of  wants,  and  feveral  creditors  that  ought 
to  be  paid,  at  the  fame  time  urging  upon  me  ;  if  I 
have  a  fum  of  nrioney  that  is  fufficient  for  all  need,  but 
nave  laid  it  away  and  forgot  it,  thefe  wants  and  cre- 
ditors fink  my  fpirits   and  perplex   my  mind  :  If  I 

remember 


PEACE  AND  J  O  Y.  e^ 

jcraember  this  fum,  my  mind  is  relieved,  I  am  faved 
horn  this  perplexity,  I  have  enough  to  aniwer  all 
exigencies  and  demands,  and  \yard  off  the  danger 
my  creditors  were  ready  to  threaten  me  with. 

The  importance  oF  keeping  this  in  memory  is  fur- 
ther manifcftcd  in  the  care  the  apoftle  Peier  Ihews 
for  the  difciplesto  this  end,  2  ep.  ch.  i.  v.  12,  13, 15, 
Wherefore  I  will  not  be  negligent  to  put  you  always 
in  remerabrance  of  thefe  things ;  yea,  I  think  it  meet 
as  long  as  I  am  in  this  tabernacle,  to  flir  you  up,  by 
putting  you  in  remembrance.  Moreover,  I  will  en- 
deavour that  you  may  be  able,  after  my  deceafe,  to 
have  thefe  things  always  in  remembrance  ;  for  they 
are  certain  truths.  We  have  not  followed  cunningly 
devifed  fables,  when  we  made  known  unto  you  the 
power  and  coming  of  Jesus  Christ,  but  were  eye- 
■witnelTes  of  his  Majefty.  And  as  the  apoftles  are  thus 
careful  to  keep  this  in  the  mempry  of  the  difciples, 
look  which  way  we  will,  every  thing  feems  defigned 
to  bring  Jesus  to  remembrance.  If  we  fit  at  home 
at  our  own  table,  the  bread,  the  meat,  the  wine  brings 
to  view  the  true  bread,  the  meat  that  endures  to 
jsternal  life  ;  the  wine  qf  confolation.  If  we  walk 
abroad,  the  apple-tree  dnvites  us  to  delight  and  fit 
down  under  his  fhadow  and  tafte  his  fruits  ;  the  vine 
invites  us  to  contemplate  our  union  with,  and  nour- 
ifliment  from,  and  fruitfulnef?  in  the  true  vine.  If 
the  wind  pierce  us,  and  the  tcmpeft  rife,  he  is  a  hid- 
ing place  from  the  wind,  and  a  covert  from  the  tem- 
pelt.  If  w^e  refleft  on  poverty  or  riches,  where  fliall 
wefeetliem,  but  in  him  who  w^as  rich,  and  for  our 
fakes  became  poor,  that  we  through  his  poverty  might 
be  rich  ?  If  upon  life  or  death  we  do  not  think  to 
purpofe,  until  it  carry  our  minds  to  him  that  liveth 
and  was  dead,  and  is  alive  forever  ;  who  is  our  life, 
the  life  of  our  life,  and  our  hope  in  death.  We  can 
fcarce  turn  our  minds  any  where,  but  fomething  is 
calculated  to  bring  him  to  remembrance.  1'he 


62  PEACE  AND  JOY. 

The  Lord's  flipper,  or' the  breaking  of  bread,  is 
peculiarly  fo,  for  as  the  paffover  Laffnb,  was  an  emi- 
nent type  of  Christ  fufferings  in  his  individual  ca- 
pacity, and  had  its  accomplifliment  in  Christ  our 
pafTovcr  facrificed  for  us  ;  fo  the  bread  and  ^vine 
manifefts  his  body  and  blood  in  a  colJeHive  view. 
The  bread  is  not  a  fingle  grain,  nor  the  cup  the 
juice  of  a  fingle  grape,  biit  the  many  made  one.  So 
the  body  of  Christ  is  not  viewed  as  a  f?ngle  indi- 
vidual, hut  the  many,  made  one  :  Whenhe,  the  head 
Avas  lifted  up  and  drew  all  men  unto  him,  and  dying 
for  all,  all  died  ;  the  apoftles  thus  judge,  if  one  died 
for  aU,  then  were  all  dead.  As  all  diftinQions  of 
grains  are  fwallowed  up  in  ope  bread,  and  all  diftinc- 
tions  of  grapes,  in  one  cup,  fo  faith  viewing  all  in 
him,  fees  both  J^^ry  and  Gentile  reconciled  in  one 
body  by  the  crofs,  and  the  enmity  flain  thereby,  fo 
that  there  is  neither  Greek  nor  Jew,  barbarian,  Cy« 
thian,  bond  or  free,  but  Christ,  is  all  in  all.  When 
we  view  them  individually,  we  fee  both  Jexo  and 
Greeks  Sec.  but  when  viewed  in  the  head  of  every 
man,  all  diftin6iion  is  loft,  and  we  contemplate  divine, 
love  to  the  whole  human  race,  with  gratitude  and 
joy  ;  and  fo  our  obligations  to  love  him,  who  firft 
loved  us,  and  to  love  one  another  as  he  hath  given 
commandment. 

I  would  clofe  with  an  addrefs  to  the  believers  of 
the  foregoing  news,  the  news  of  falvation  by  Jesus 
Christ  in  two  branches  : — Inquiring,  is  it  not  the 
indifpenfible  duty  of  every  one  of  them. 

Ift.  To  confider  what  was  the  evFeft  of  the  belief  of 
the  gofpel  in  the  days  of  the  apoftles,  whom  Jesus 
Christ  connefted  with  himftlf,  faying,  he  that  hcar- 
ethyou,  heareth  me;  and  he  that  defpifeth  you, 
defpifeth  me  ;  and  he  that  defpifeth  me,  defpii- 
eth  him  that  fent  me  ?  Of  whom  Jesus  Christ  was 
feen  for  forty  days  after  his  refurre^tion,  fpeaking  to 
them  of  the  things  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of  God: 

And 


PEACE  AND  J  OY.  e's 

^A.nd  after  he  had  thus  inflru6led  them,  he  fent  theiu 
forth  to  preach  the  Gofpel  to  every  creature,  and  to 
teach  the  believers  of  their  teftimony  to  obferve  all 
things  whatfoever  he  had  commalided  them  ;  adding^ 
that  he  was  with  them  to  the  end  of  the  world.  Now 
the  praflice  of  the  apoftles  thus  taught  of  him,  among 
the  believers  of  their  teftimony,  was  to  gather  thein 
into  diftinft  particular  churches,  that  in  connexion 
one  with  another,  they  might  enjoy  the  fellowflnp  o^ 
the  gofpel,  and  watch  over  one  another,  and  together 
obferve  all  things  whatfoever  was  commanded  them* 
Is  not  this  evident  from  the  inftances  of  the  places 
^  where  the  apoftles  preached,  recorded  in  the  ABs^ 
where,  after  their  preaching,  churches  were  gathered, 
elders  ordained  over  them,  and  epiftles  wrote  to  them, 
as  ftanding  together  in  that  connexion. 

We  find  Paul  in  the  xvith  of  ABs,  at  Philippl  ;* 
whereupon  we  have  an  epiftle  wrote  to  the  faints  at 
Philippic  with  the  bifhops  and  deacons. 

In  Adh  xviith,  at  Thefalonica  ;  t  confequent  upoii" 
it,  we  have  two  epiftles  to  the  church  there. 

In  ABs  xviiith  at  Corintk,  J  where  he  continued  a 
year  and  fix  months  among  them:  Confequent  upohi 
it  we  have  two  epiftles  to  the  church  at  Corinth. 

In  Ads  xixth,  at  Ephefus,  J  where  he  fpakc  three 

months 

*  Accordinc;  to  the  notes  in  the  margin  of  our  Bibles  the  Apoftlc 
fuul  was  ;it  Philippi  in  5;j,  and  wrote  the  epiftle  to  that  church  in  64.^ 

t  At  Thejfalonica  in  53,  and  fent  both  the  .epiftles  to  the  churcit 
there  in  34. 

t  At  Corhith  in  54,  and  wrote  his  firft  epiftle  to  the  Corlnthlant  irt 
5$  ;  his  Iccond  in  60. 

$  He  was  piefent  at  Ephefus  in  56,  and  in  60  we  find  a  chtirch  there 
■with  elders,  ;ind  the  epiftle  was  fent  to  the  church  in  64. — This  (hews 
it  was  the  care  of  the  Apoftles  to  gather  the  believers  into  churches, 
and  maintain  u  conft.int  care  of  them  in  that  connexion,  both  while 
prefentwith  them  and  when  abfent  from  them,  not  only  when  they  were 
firft  gathered,  but  on  all  occafions  ever  after,  as  Paul  exprelTes  it.  That 
which  Cometh  upon  me  daily,  the  care  of  all  the  ehurches.  jESUi 
Christ  was  not  only  prefentwith  them  therein  in  thole  days,  but  !o  I 
he  is  with  them  alway,  even  vmto  the  end  of  the  world  ;  therefore  to 
defpiie  them  now,  isasbefore,  todefpiie  Jbsws  CiiRisi  and  him  that 
ttat  him. 


$4  PEACE  AND  J  O  Y. 

months ;  and  upon  the  derputations  of  the  unbelievers^ 
he  feparated  the  Difciples,  difputing  daily  in  the 
fchool  of  Tyraunus :  And  this  continued  for  the  fpace 
of  two  years. 

In  ABs  xxth  V7e  find  a  church  at  Ephefiis  -vhth  El- 
ders ;  and  we  have  an  epiflle  wrote  to  that  church  : 
Thus  a  confiderable  part  of  the  New-Teltament  is 
exprefsly  directed  to  the  difciples  as  thus  connefted 
together. 

The  Rctelation  is  addrefled  to  the  fei^en  churches 
in  AJia  ;  and  each  epiille  is  clofed  with — He  that 
hath  an  ear  let  him  hear  tvhat  the  Spirit  faith  unto' 
?.he  churches.  And  in  chap,  xxii,  16.  I  Jesus 
have  fent  mine  Angel  to  teltify  thefe  things  in  the 
churches. 

Thefe  things  being  fo,  kt  the  love  of  God  our 
Saviour,  manifefted  in  his  wilt'  that  all  men  fh'ould 
be  faved  and  come  to  the  knoTvledge  of  the  truth, 
conftrain  the  believers  of  it  to  confider  what  they' 
are  hereby  called  to,  and  to  take  heed  left  they  be 
led  afide  from  the  footfteps  of  the  firft  flocks,  by  ig- 
liorance  of,  inattention  unto,  or*lukewarmncfs  about 
ivhat  is  plainly  pointed  out  in  the  word  :  But  that 
they  fearch  the  fcriptures  till  they  are  fatisfied  of  the 
will  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  concerning  them,  and 
aittend  thereunto;  ,  I  Idly. 

*  It  is  faid  to  the  church  of  Laodlcfdy  Becaufe  thovi  art  lukewarmy 
and  neither  cold  nor  hot,  1  will  fpue  thee  otit  of  my  mouth.  Luke- 
tvarmnefs  in  its  own  nature  tends  to  fuch  a  difunion  as  confequently 
^nd  in  the  lofs  of  the  appearance  of  the  profeiTion  of  the  name  aiJefiiSy 
in  tlie  places  where  it  prevails,  the  Apoftle  to  the  Hebrews,  to  ^uard 
them  againft  it,  fays.  Take  heed  bretnrcn,  left  there  be  in  any  of  you 
an  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  in  departing  from  the  living  God,  but  ex- 
hort one  another  daily,  left  any  of  you  be  hardened  through  the  de- 
ceitfulnefs  of  fin,  for  we  are  made  partakers  of  Christ,  if  we  holdfajt 
the  beginning  of  our  confidence  ftedfaft  to  the  end.  Let  us  hold  fafi 
the  profeltion  of  our  faith  without  wavering,  and  let  us  conlider  one 
another  to  provoke  unto'love  and  good  works.  Not  forfaking  the  ai"- 
fembling  of  ourfelves  together,  as  is  the  manner  of  Tome,  but  exhort- 
ing one  another  ;  anembling  to  exhort  one  another  is  connefted  with 
/j'/W/«_^  /■«/!  the  profeirion  ot  our  faith,  and  with  watching  againft  an 
tvil  heart  of  unbelief,  in  departing  from  the  living  Gcp,  in  oppofuJon 
to  lukewarmnefs. 


PEACE  AND  J  O  Y^  e$ 

Ildly.  It  becomes  the  believers  of  the  gofpel,  to 
confider  wherein  this  falvation  confifts,  as  it  refpeds 
our  conduct  one  to  another. 

His  name  is  Jesus,  he  fhall  fave  his  people  from 
their  fins  :  Sin  is  a  tranfgreffion  of  the  law  of  love 
bound  on  the  difciples  of  Jesus  Christ:  The  fe- 
cond  commandment  is,  Thou  fhalt  love  thy  neigh- 
bour as  thyfelf :  Love  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neir^h- 
bour  ;  therefore  love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law. 

The  works  of  the  flefh  are  hatred,varianGe,  wrath, 
ftrife  :  The  fruit  of  the  fpirit  is  Love.  Now  the  fal- 
vation of  the  Gofpel  conlifts  not  only  in  a  deliverance 
*from  the  curfe  of  the  law,  but  alfo  in  a  deliverance 
from  fin,  as  it  is  a  tranfgrefiion  of  the  law  :  From  the 
works  of  the  flefh,  producing  the  fruits  of  the  fpirit ; 
therefore,  every  thing  contrary  to  the  law  of  love  in 
our  converfation,  deportment  and  dealing  one  with 
another  is  unbecoming  the  believers  of  the  gofpel  fal- 
vation, who  ought  ever  to  confider  themfelves  as  un- 
der the  higheft  obligation  to  love  their  neighbour  as 
themfelves,  and  ever  be  on  their  guard  againft  every 
thing  contrary  thereto. 

Can  we  believe  that  declaration,  I,  even  I  am  he 
that  blotteth  outthy  tranfgrefrionsj/o?-??^  ozvn  Name's 
fakCf  and  will  not  remember  thy  fins,  and  indulge  any 
thing  contrary  to  the  fpirit  of  forgivenefs  taught  by 
the  precepts  and  example  of  Jefus  Chriji  and  his 
apo  files  ? 

Can  we  fee  our  brother  in  need,  and  fliut  up  our 
bowels  of  compafTion  from  him,  while  we  realize  the 
grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus  ChriJl,  who,  though  he  was 
rich  for  our  fakes,  became  poor  that  we  through  his 
poverty  might  be  rich  ;  who  remembered  us  in  our 
low-eflate,  for  his  mercy  forever   ? 

Doth  not  the  truth  of  the  Gofpel  News  conftrain 
us  with  all  our  hearts  to  blefs  God,  even  the  Father  : 
How  unbecoming  is  it  then,  with  the  fame  mouth, up- 
on every  provocation,  to  curfe  men,  who  are  made 
after  the  fimilitude  of  Gob  ?  Certainly  thefc  things 
Gu^ht  not  fo  t^  be. 

I  How 


66  PEACE  AND  JOY. 

How  inconfiftent  for  thofe  who  profefs  it  their 
higheft  happinefs  to  be  forever  freed  from  the  inbeing 
of  fin,  and  that  the  Saviour  is  moft  inexpreffibly  in- 
deared  to  them,  in  the  view  of  his  completing  this 
work,  to  indulge  in  the  praftice  of  that,  which  we  can- 
not be  happy  but  in  a  freedom  from  ?  Which  indul- 
gence tends  to  the  unhappinefs  of  all  to  whom  we  are 
known,  and  with  whom  we  are  connefted,  as  far  as  its 
influence  reacheth. 

The  certain  ground  of  hope  in  the  word,  that  Jesus 
Christ,  who  hath  his  fan  in  his  handwill  thorough- 
ly purge  his  floor,  confume  the  chaff,  burn  up  the 
tares,  deftroy  the  works  of  the  devil,  take  away  the 
drofs  from  the  filver,  that  there  fhall  come  forth  a 
veffel  for  the  finer,  and  that  he  is  not  only  faithful 
and  juft  to  forgive  us  our  fins,  but  to  cleanfe  us  from 
all  unrighteoufnefs,  ought  to  excite  us  to  cleanfe  our- 
felves  from  all  filthinefs  of  flefh  and  fpirit,  to  cleanfe 
our  way,  by  taking  heed  thereto  according  to  the  word. 
And  by  taking  heed  to  the  word,  we  fliall  find  di- 
reftions  for  our  condu6t,  in  every  relation  and  cir- 
cumftance  of  life,  brought  up  to  one  fingle  point  by 
our  divine  teacher  :  Therefore  all  things  whatfoever 
ye  would  that  men  fliould  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  fo 
to  them  J  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets.  This 
exhortation,  like  all  others,  is  grounded  on  the  mani- 
feft:ation  of  divine  grace,  as  is  evident  by  being  ufher- 
ed  in  by  the  word  therefore  :  If  we  inquire  where- 
fore ?  the  connexion  will  fhew  :  Therefore,  becaufe 
of  the  gracious  readinefs  of  your  heavenly  Father  to 
give  good  things  to  them  that  dSk  him  :  And  as  the 
Faw  and  the  prophets  are  all  here  drawn  together  by 
xhc^  majler  of  ajfemblies^the  one  piepherd^  fo  they  are 
taken  apart  and  parcelled  out  to  us,  in  exhortations 
fuited  to  every  relation  and  circumftance  of  life,  by 
his  apoftles,  as  is  expreffed  by  one  of  them.  AVith 
whofe  word  s  I  clofe  : — As  ye  know  how  we  exhort- 
ed, and  comforted,  and  charged  every  one  of  you,  as 
a  father  doth  his  children,  that  ye  would  walk  worthy 
of  Go  Dj  who  hath  called  you  to  his  kingdom  and  glory. 

The 


The  GOSPEL  of  PEACE,  &c. 


SECTION      II. 


"The  Gospel  o/"  Peace  puhlijlied  among  all  nations : 
Or,  on  Inquiry  concerning  Repentance  and 
Remission  of  Sins.  From  the  Scriptures  of 
the  Old  and  New-Testament  :  Addreffed,  Firft, 
To  the  Author  of  a  Pamphlet,  entitled,  "  Divine 
Glory  in  the  Condemnation  of  the  Ungodly." 
Secondly,  To  all  for  whom  Christ  died. 

Hearken  unto  me  ye  ftout-hearted  that  are  far  from  Riehteoufnefs. 
1  bring  near  my  righteoufnefs  :  It  fliall  not  be  far  off,  and  my  falva- 
tion  fhall  not  tarry  :  And  1  will  place  Salvation  in  Zion,  for  Ifrael 
my  Glory.  Isaiah  xlvi.  la,  T3. 

Behold  the  man  whofe  name  is  the  Branch.  He  fliall  bear  the 
Glory.  Zechariah  vi.  12,  13. 

But  now  commandeth  all  men  every  where  to  repent.  Acts  xvii. 30. 

Frequently  obfervlng  the  doBrlne  of 
repentance  treated  of  in  fuch  a  manner  as  is  difficult 
to  underftand,  in  confiftency  with  the  gofpel  ofdivlnG 
grace  ;  it  has  often  exercifed  my  mind  to  inquire 
from  the  fcriptures,  after  a  fatisfa6lory  view  of  it ; 
and  finding  that  after  our  Lord's  refurreftion,  when 
that  event  took  place  which  explained  the  fcriptures, 
he  opened  the  underftanding  of  the  difciples  that, 
they  might  underftand  them,  and  faid  unto  them, — 
Thus  it  is  written,  and  thus  it  behoved  Chrifl  to  fuffer 
and  to  rife  again  the  third  day  ;  as  in  Luke  xxiv, 
40.  46.  It  is  added  in  Verfe  47,  and  that  repentance 
and  remiffion  of  fns  fhould  be  preached  in  his  name 
among  all  nation's  beginning  at  Jerufalem. 

In  inquiring  into  the  nature  or  meaning  of  repen- 
tance, it  may  affift  me  to  view  every  part  of  this 
paffage.    As, 

What 


68  The  GOSPEL  or  PEACE,  &c. 

What  may  I  underftand  by  repentance  :  What  by 
remiffion  oPfins  :  What  by  its  being  preached  in  his 
»name  :  How  it  concerns  all  nations ;  and,  Why  it 
was  to  begin  at  Jerufalera. 

I.     What  may  be  underftopd  by  repentance. 

Repentance  is  here  brought  in  as  that  which  the 
death  and  refurreftion  of  Christ  prepared  a  way 
for  the  proclamation  of: — Hefaid,  Thus  it  is  written^ 
and  thus  it  behoved  Chrijl  tofuffer  and  to  rifefromthc 
dead  the  third  day  ;  and  that  repentance,  &c.  here 
is  a  connexion  between  the  fufferings  and  refurrec- 
tion  of  Christ,  and  the  proclamation  of  repentance 
as  an  aQ;  of  grace  founded  thereupon,  and  iifued  for 
the  encouragement  of  the  rebel  to  return  ;  who 
otherways  could  look  for  nothing  but  deftruftion. 
In  this  view  it  is  the  gracious  call  of  the  offended 
Sovereign  to  his  revolted  creatures,  to  return  to  him 
as  their  rightful  owner  and  Lord. — Ifaiah  xxxi.  6. 
Turn, ye  unto  him,  from  whom  the  children  of  Ifrael 
have  deeply  revolted, 

IL     What  may  beunderftood  by  remiffion  of  fins. 

Sins  or  trefpafles  are  called  debts,  Altf^/.  vi.  12,  15, 
When  a  perfon  is  in  debt,  it  is  plain  that  law  and  juf- 
tice  demand  remittance  until  full  payment  is  made; 
the  payment  of  the  debt  is  its  remiffion,  and  this  re- 
miffion fatisfies  thfe  demands  of  law  and  juflice,  which 
were  againfl  the  debtor  :  Here  then  remiffion  is  fuH 
fatisfaftion  to  that  law,  of  which  fin  is  a  tranfgreffion, 
and  to  that  ji^ftice  which  demands  penalty  of  the  tranf- 
greffor ;  ior  unlefs  law  and  juftice  be  completely, 
fatisfied,  there  is  no  remiffion. 

in.     What  by  its  being  preached  in  his  name. 

Why,  furely  there  is  no  other  name  under  Heaven 
given  among  men,  whereby  we  muft  .be  faved,  either 
from  the  delufion,  ignorance  and  darknefs,  whereby 
we  have  forfaken  the  right  way,  or  whereby  we  may 
be  returned  to  our  rightful  owner,  or  whereby  law 

and 


The  gospel  of   PEACE,  Sec  6g 

and  juftice  are  fatisfied.  So  then  he  himfelf  is  emi- 
nently the  way  in  all  thefc  rcfpeQs.  Gallations  iv.  4, 
c.  God  fen  f  forth  his  Son  made  of  a  womaiif  made 
wider  the  lazv^  to  redeem  them  that  were  under  the 
law :  The  law  had  a  demand  of  perfeft  obedience 
upon  them  that  were  under  it,  which  to  them  was  im- 
poflible  in  their  own  perfons;  he  as  their  head,  and 
in  their  liead,  is  brought  in  ;  in  the  volume  of  the 
book  fayiiig,  Lo  !  I  come  to  do  thy  will:  So  that 
whatever  the  law  required,  was  perfeftly  obeyed  by 
him  who  did  always  the  thing  that  pleafed  the  father, 
who  delighted  to  do  his  will,  and  could  not  be  con- 
vinced of  fin,  but  could  fay,  /  was  upright  before  him^ 
I  have  glorified  thee  on  earthy  and  finiJJied  the  work 
i/iou  gavefi  me  to  do  ;  fo  that  he  perfeftly  obeyed  the 
Taw. 

They  that  were  under  the  law  were  under  the 
Curfe,  he  as  the  redeemer  of  them  that  were  under 
the  law,  was  made  a  curfe  for  us,  fo  fatisfied  the 
p^snaUy  of  the  law,  which  is  manifeft  in  his  refurrec- 
tion  from  the  dead  ;  for  when  law  and  juftice  took 
hold  of  him  as  head  of  the  human  nature,  (as  if  he 
were  the  only  tranfgrefforj  all  being  confidered  in  him ; 
he  became  our  furcty,  and  the  Lord  laid  the  ini- 
quities of  us  all  upon  him.  Now  unlefs  law  and  juf- 
tice have  full  fatisfa6tion,the  furety  isnotdifcharged; 
but  law  and  juftice  being  fully  fatisfied,  h&  .having 
made  peace  by  the  hloodof  his  crofs  ;  it  was  not  pofji- 
ble  hefhoVfld  he  holden  of  death. — Death  hath  no  fnore 
dominion  over  Am.-— ^Therefore  the  furety  is  legally 
difcharged.  ' 

Thus  his  refurreftion  from  the  dead  evidences  his 
accomplifliment  of  What  he  was  made  under  the  law, 
for  i.  e.  To  redeem  them  that  were  under  the  law  ; 
fo  then  the  refurreftion  of  Jesus  Christ  proves  him 
our  Redeemer. — Whofe  Redeemer  ? — Them  that 
were  under  the  law.     Thej>  wc  belong  to  him  by 

right 


70  The  GOSPEL  of  PEACE,  Sec. 

right  of  redemption,  and  ought  to  return  to  him  aj 
our  rightful  owner,  repenting  of  our  eftrangement 
jftnd  alienation  from  him  :  But  is  there  any  encou- 
ragement hereunto  :  May  we  be  received  into  favour? 
Yes  ! Repentance  and  remiffion  of  fins.  Repen- 
tance with  remifiion  of  fins  is  preached  in  his  name, 
and  becaufe  there  is  full  remiffion,  there  is  the  fulleft 
encouragement  to  repentance.  There  is  no  other 
name  that  repentance  will  do  to  be  preached  in  ; 
call  a  man  to  repentance  in  the  name  of  law  and 
judice  :  Repent  for  the  curfes  of  the  law,  the  wrath 
of  God,  the  demands  of  juftice  are  againft  you,  and 
will  furely  and  fuddenly  overtake  you,  except  you 
repent  ;  and  it  may  drive  him  to  endeavour  to  hide 
himfelf  as  Adam  among  the  trees  of  the  garden,  and 
when  he  finds  he  cannot,  it  may  drive  him  to  defr-' 
pair  ;  for  repentance  cannot  fatisfy  law  or  juftice,  or 
^ppeafe  the  divine  anger  :  Neither  is  it  in  them  to- 
produce  repentance,  they  may  ftir  up  enmity,  and 
drive  to  defpair,  while  the  gofpel  is  out  of  fight. — It 
is  the  prerogative  of  our  Redeemer  that  has  fully  re- 
mitted our  fins. He  is  exalted  to  give  repentance 

end  remijfion  of  fms.  •     •:    ;  ^"^ 

Among  all  nations  this  is  to  be  preached,  Jews  and  •' 
Gentiles.  For  God  hath  Jlieiued  me  (faith  Peter)  that 
I JJiould  call  no  man  co7}imon  or  unclean  ;  what  God 
hath  fanUiJied<i  that  call  thou  not  common.  There  is 
neither  Jew  nor  Greek,  Barbarian,  Cythian,  bond  or 
free,  male  or  female  that  is  excluded.  Repentance 
and  remiffion  of  fins  is  to  be  preached  among  all  na- 
tions :  If  there  were  not  full  remiffion,  how  could  it 
be  preached,  or  how  could  they  be  called  to  repent- 
ance .f*  But  there  is.  He  that  is  truth  has  ordered  it 
to  be  preached  as  a  truth  among  all  nations  j  but  as 
he  was  rejected  at  Jerufalem,  are  not  they  excluded  ? 
No,  Verily :  It  is  to  he  preached  among  all  nations^ 
BEGINNING  AT    JERUSALEM.     What,  tliough  they 

like 


The  gospel  of  PEACE,  &c,  yt 

iike  fifiies,  do  all  they  can  to  efcape  the  gofpel  net, 
will  not  he  that  made  his  Apoftles  fifhers  of  men,  lb 
direft  that  net,  as  finally  to  take  them  in,  with  the 
fulnefs  of  the  Gentiles,  fo  that  all  Ifrael  may  be  fa- 
ved,  as  is  written  :  It  is  written,  therefore  it  ihali 
be  accompliflied :  Compare  Rom.  xi.  25,  to  32,' with 
the  parallel  paflages  in  the  prophet. 

But  we  may  enquire  if  this  view  of  repentance  be 
agreeable  to  the  fcriptures  of  the  Old  and  New-  Tef- 
tament» 

We  find  when  Solo7non,  in  lii  oi Kings,  win.  47. 
praying  for  the  children  of  Ifrael  carried  captive  for 
their  fins,  fays,  if  they  fhall  bethink  themfelves,  and 
repent,  and  make  fuppli cation,  and  return  with  all 
their  heart,  &c.  then  hear  their  prayer,  &:c.  Verfe 
51  fliews  the  ground  of  this  prayer,  for  they  are  thy 
people,  and  thine  inheritance — The  idea  of  their  be- 
ing his  people,  and  •  his  inheritance,  appears  necef- 
fa'ry  to  fliew  the  aggravations  of  their  folly  ip  iin- 
ning  againft  him,  and  the  ncceffity  of  repenting  and 
returning  to  their  rightful  owner. — They  are  thine 
inheritance  zuhich  thou  hajl  redeemed.^  Pfalm  Ixxiv.  2« 
And  when  they  are  called  to  repentance  in  the  pro- 
phet Joel,  chap.  ii.  13.  it  is  turn  to  the  Lord  your 
God.  In  Jeremiah  xxvi  13.  (though  a  time  of  the 
grcateft  degeneracy)  they  are  thus  called  upon,  noxi} 
amend  your  ways,  and  your  doings,  and  obey  the  voice 
of  the  hoKD  YOUR  God;  And  in  IfuiahW.  j.  Let 
the  -wicked  forfake  his  way,  and  the  unrighteous  hii 
own  imaginations,  and  return  unto  the  Lord,  and  he 
will  have  7ncrcy,  and  to  our  God  he  will  abundantly 
pardon  :  And  in  Hofea  xiv.  1 .  0  Ifrael  return  unta 
the  Lord  thy  God.  When  God,  by  the  prophet 
Jeremiah  in  his  3d  chap,  calls  Ifrael  and  Judah  to 
repentance  verfe  1,  7,  12.  Return  again  to  me  faith 
/Ac  Lord.  Ticrnthounnto  me.  Retu?'n  thou  back- 
Jliding  Ifrael  faith  the  Lord,     In  verfes  14  and  22, 

their 


72  The  GOSPEL  of  PEACE,  &c. 

tlieir  obligation  thereto,  and  the  ground  of  their  en* 
couragement  is  mentioned  : — Verfe  14,  Return  for 
I  am  married  unto  you  ; — Verfe  22.  Return  ye  back- 
Jliding  children^  I  rvill  heal  your  backjlidings^  not,  and 
I  will,  as  a  condition  (the  and  is  there  fupplied  by 
the  tranflators)  but  I  will  heal  your  backflidings. — ■ 
On  this  encouragement,  which  is  the  only  all-fuffi- 
cient  one,  they  are  brought  in  faying,  Behold  we  come 
unto  thee, for  thou  art  the  Lord  our  God.  And  in 
Ifaiah  xliv,  22,  it  is  fully  exprefled  in  a  fimilar  man- 
ner to  the  paflage  in  Luke  xxiv.  now  befere  us. 
Lukexxiv.  47.  ^4w^  iA<2i     Ifaiah,     xliv.    22.    I  have 

repentance  and  rtmf-         blotted  out  as  a  thick  cloud 
fion  of  fins  Jhould  be         thy  tranfgreffions^  and  as 

preached  ill  his  n-ame.         a  cloud  thy  fns:  Return 

for  I  haveredeemedthee. 

But  if  it  be  faid  thefe  paffages  of  the  Old-Tefta- 
ment  refpeft  ancient  Ifrael,  as  God's  peculiar  people, 
not  finners  of  the  Gentiles, — in  anfwer  it  may  be 
faid,  it  has  been  Ihewn  it  was  to  be  preached  as  a 
truth  among  all  nations ;  and  the  Apoftle's  queftion 
is  ready.  Is  he  a  God  of  the  Jews  only  ?  Is  he  not  of 
the  Gentiles  alfo  ?  Yes,  of  the"  Gentiles  alfo  : — Are 
they  bleffed  in  Abraham  fo  are  all  the  nations  of  the 
earth — in  thy  feed fliall  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be 
blefj'cd  :-— Are  they  his  inheritance, — his  pofieffion  ; 
fo  are  the  uttermoft  parts  of  the  earth.  It  was  the 
difpofition  that  would  confine  the  divine  favour  to 
the  Jews,  and  to  the  mofte  deemed  among  them,  that 
the  preaching  of  John  and  of  Jefus,  under  the  law 
difpenfation,  called  them  to  repentance  from,  or  cal- 
led them  to  repent  oi  Matt.  iii.  2. — Repent  for  the 
kingdom  of  Heaven  is  at  hand  :  He  preached  thus 
in  the  wildernefs  of  [udea,  among  thofe  that  fuppo- 
fed  the  Mcfliah  would  raife  their  nation  to  great  world- 
ly glory,  and  fet  them  above  other  nations  and  that 
the  moll  efleemed  among  them  fliould  be  moft  pro- 
moted 


Tee  gospel  of  PEACE,  &q. 


73 


tnoted  therein  :  He  calls  them  to  repent  of  their 
worldly  notions  of  Christ's  kingdom :  It  was  a  king- 
dom of  Heaven  that  was  at  hand,  where  every  one 
was  admitted  and  promoted  according  to  the  good 
pleafure  of  the  King  in  virtue  of  his  own  righteouf- 
nefs,  not  according  to  theit  own  fuppofed  perfonai 
charafters :  So  thofe  that  Were  eXalted  in  their  own 
and  others  apptehenfiohs  aS  mountains  and  hills,  were 
brought  low  j  and  thofe  deprefied  with  a  fenfe  of 
their  own  vilenefs  and  uoworthinefs,  and  who  were 
juftly  efteemed  To  by  others  low  as  vallies,  without 
any  encouragement  in  themfelves,  are  exalted,  agree- 
able to  IfaiaJis  prophefy,  chap.  xl.  4.  Every  valley 
Jhall  b&  exalted,  and  every  mountain  and  hdljhall  be 
brought  low,  the  crooked  JJiall  be  made  Jlrait,  and  the 
Yough  places  plain  ;  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  Jhall 
he  revealedyand  allfleJhJJiallfee  together,  for  the  mouth 
of  the  Loyd  hathfpoken. 

Here  we  have  a  view  of  a  perfeft  plain,  where  one 
fhould  not  obftruft  or  overtop  another,  in  viewing 
the  object  to  be  revealed — The  glory  of  the  Lord  : 
And  as  they  all  expefted  benefit  in  that  kingdom 
from  their  own  charafters ;  fome  expefted  to  be 
ibremoft  on  account  of  their  own  fuppofed  good  cha- 
r  afters,  and  others  deprefled  and  defpairing  for  want 
of  fuch  worthinefs,  they  are  called  to  repent  of  their 
error  and  miftake — it  was  a  kingdom  of  Heaven 
'  hat  was  at  hand,  where,  none  were  admitted  or  ex- 
cluded on  account  of  their  own  perfonai  charafter, 
but  every  one  admitted  on  account  of  the  perfeft 
chara6ler  of  the  Mefliah. — The  glory  of  the  Lord /hall 
be  revealed — the  glory  of  divine  wifdom,  juftice, 
grace,  and  mercy — the  glory  of  all  the  divine  attri- 
butes and  perfeQions,  harmonizing  in  the  method  of 
falvation,  by  Jesus  Christ,  accordingto  Pfalm  Ixxxv. 
10, 11.  Mercy  and  truth  are  met  together,  righteouj- 
nefs  and  peace  have  Ifjed:  Truth  f hall  fpring  out  of 
K  the 


74  Tn£  GOSPEL  of  PEACE,  &c. 

the  eaxth^  and  righteoufnefs  Jhail  lopk  down  from  Hed-* 
tJen.  'fhus  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  revealed  in  liiiri 
who  is  the  brightnefs  of  his  gloiy,thc  light  ofthe  know- 
ledge of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ,  in  whom  dwellsthefullnefs  of  the  God-head: 
In  him,  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  revealed,  and  in 
his  time  and  way  all  flefh  fhall  fee  together,  for  the 
mouth  ofthe  Lord  hath  fpoken. 

If  what  has  been  faid  of  JoIiti's  preaching  "/or  the 
kingdom  of  Heaven  is  at  hand,'"  be  agreeable  to  the 
fcripturcs,  then  we  are  to  nnderftand  the  preaching 
of  Jesus  in  Matt.  iv.  17.  "  Repent  for  the  kingdom 
of  Heaven  is  at  hand."  And  Mark  i.  15,  "  The  time 
is  fulfilled"  ;  The  kingdom  of  Heaven  is  at  hand :  Rc" 
pent  ye  and  believe  the  gofpel,  (The  glad  tidings,  the 
good  nczvs  of  falvation  by  Jesus  Christ,")  and  the 
preaching  of  the  twelve  that  Jesus  fent  out  two  by 
two  Mark  vi.  12.  Who  went  out  and  preached  that 
men  fhould  repent,  in  the  fame  view. 

When  Jesus  arofe  from  the  d(?ad,  evidencing  the 
perfe6lion  of  his  character,  obedience  and  facrifice  ; 
evidencing  that  juftice  was  fully  fatisfied ;  then  repen- 
tance and  remiffion  of  fms  are  preached  in  his  name : 
There  can  be  no  encouragement  to  repentance  with- 
out  reitiiflion  of  fms,  if  there  be  not  full  remifliorrt 
in  the  perfeft  work  of  Christ,  all  is  terror,  defpair, 
alienation  and  enmity.  I  faid  there  is  no  hope,  no, 
for  I  have  loved  flrangers,  and  after  them,  -will  I  go, 
Jereniiah  ii.  25.  Let  this  truth,  the  do8.ri.ne  of  remif- 
fion of  fins,  be  clear,  and  there  are  the  higheft  mo- 
tives, encouragements  and  obligations  to  repentance ; 
there  is  room  for  it  to  be  preached  in  the  name  of 
JEsus  among  all  nations,  even  beginning  at  Jerufa- 
iem  :  If  we  need  any  further,  fee  Acts  xvii.  20» 
Though  the  times  of  igitorance  God  winked  at,  but 
now  he  hath  commanded  all  men  every  where  to  repents 
Now  fince  his  refurredion  hath  he  commanded.  Con- 

fidcr 


The  gospel  gf  PEACE,  &c.  75 

fider  the  dignity  of  the  commander,  and  the  authority 
of  his  commands,  PJalm  xxxiii.  ^.Hefpake^and  it  was  : 
He  covimanded.i  and  itjlood.     The   Apoftle  purfues 
the  thought  from  his  refurreQion  to  his  exaltation,  as 
we  read,  AHs  v.  30,  31.      The  -God  of  our  fathers 
raifcdup  ^ES'js,zohom  ye  Jlezu  and  hanged  on  a  tree, 
him  hath  God  exalted  -with  his  right  hand^  a  Prince 
and  a  Saviour.^  to  give   rtpentance  to  Jfrael  and  for- 
givenefs  of  fins :  And  in  AHs  xi.   18.  we  have  a  fpc- 
cimen  aftually  taking  place  :  Then  hath   God  olfo  to 
the  Gentiles  granted  repentance  unto   life.     How   is 
this  evidenced  ?  Why,  they  received  or  believed  the 
Apoftles  teflimony  concerning  the  way  of  acceptance^ 
with  God   in  every  nation.     It  was  according  to  the 
tvord  which  God  fent  to /fie  children  of  Ifrael^preach- 
jng peace  by  Jesus  Christ   zuho    is    Lord     of    all^ 
his  being  anointed  with   the   Holy    Ghost,   going 
a'bout  doinfj  good,  his  death  and  refuraeftion,  and 
the  evidences  of  it,  together  with  the  teftimony  of 
the  Prophets   concerning   him,  as  we  fee  in  ABs  x. 
34  to  44.     This  preaching  being  accompanied  with 
the  Holy  Ghost,  gained  full   credit  on  the  minds 
of  the  Gentiles,  which  when  the  chiifbh  heard,  they 
held  their  peace,  and  glorified  God,  faying,  then  hath 
God  'alfo  to  the   Gentiles  granted   repentance  unto 
life:  Sothat  asfoon  asthey  believed  the  report  of  the 
Gofpel  concerning  the  life,  death  and  refurre6lion  of 
Jesus  Christ,  by  the  firft  of  which  the  precepts  of 
the  law  are  perfe6Uy  obeyed  ;  by  the  next,  the  pen- 
alty of  it  is  fuffered,  or  the  debt  to  it  remitted  ;  and 
by  the  third,  viz.  his  refurre6lion,we  have  the  full  ev- 
idence thereof.     As  foon  as  this  is  believed,  it  is  faid, 
then  hath  God  alio  granted  repentance  unto  life,  the 
immediate  infeparable  effed  of  believing  the  remifr 
fion  of  fms  in  his  name. 

This  is  illuflrated  in  the   Theffalonians^  when   they 
believed  the  apoftles  teftimony,  in  the  j  7th' of  Ach^ 

he 


76  The  gospel  of  PEACE,  &c. 

he  fays,  concerning  them  in  his  firft  Epiftle,  chap  .  i. 
9.  What  manner  of  entrance  rve  had  unto  you,  and 
how  ye  turned  to  Gon  from  idols,  to  Jerve  the  living 
and  true  Gqd,  and  to  wait  for  his  Stonfrom  Heaven^ 
Xvhom  he  had  raijed from  the  dead.  To  turn  to  God. 
from  idols  is  repentance.  This  was  in  confequence 
of  the  entrance  of  the  apoftles  aniong  them,  prof  the 
Thejfalonians  believing  their  report.  What  was  their 
report  among  them  ?  SktAH^  xvii.  2,  3.  Reafoning 
zvith  them  outof  the  fcriptures,  opening  and  alleging 
that  Chrfl  mufi  needs  have  fuff ere d  and  rifen  again 
from  the  dead,  and  that  Jefus  whom  I  preach  unto  you, 
is  Chrifl,  verfe  4.  SorM  of  them  believed.  Tliofe  be- 
lievers conippfed  the  church  of  the  Theffalonians,  of 
/whom  it  is  fhewn,  how  they  turned  to  God  from  idols. 

So  in  the  20th  oi  ABs,2x,  the  apoftle  fpeaks  of 
keeping  back  nothing  that  was  ^ro^\.2Lh\e,h\xi  teflifying 
loth  to  the  Jews,  and  alfo  to  the  Greeks  repentance  to- 
wards God,  and  (or  *  even)  faith  towards  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  His  preaching  the  faith  as  has  beer^ 
above  fhewn,  was  virtually  preaching  repentance,  as 
it  immediately  called  and  led  theretol  Thus  the  Old 
and  New-Teftament  jointly  evidences  the  fame  truth, 
that  repentance  and  remiffion  of  fins  is  preached  in  the 
name  of  Jefus  among  all  nations,  beginning  at  .Jeru- 
falem. 

How;  can  repentance  be  preach^  otherwife.  If 
there  be  not  reHiiflion  in  the  perfed  work  of  Christ, 
he  is  not  our  Redeemer?  and  we  cannot  be  called 
upon,  when  he  fays,  return  for  /  have  redeemed  thee  ; 
hut  be  not  deceived,  evil  communications  corrupt  good 
manners.  He  i  s  rifen  from  the  dead,  he  i  s  our  Re- 
deemer, we  belong  to  him,  and  blefled  be  his  name; 
we  are  called  to  return,  for  he  hath  redeemed  us. 
Who  ?  Them  that  were  under   the  law,  all  nations, 

eveii 

*  I  am  inforrned  the  fame  Greek  word  which  is  tranflated  and  is 
alfo  tranflated  (f-y^/i,  as  in  the  judgment  of  the  tranflafOF?  was  moil 
fuitible  to 'the  pairage. 


Tht  gospel  of  peace,  Sec,  j^ 

pven  beginning  at  Jerufakm.  What  were  we  rc- 
(deemed  for  ?  Ttiat  repentance  might  be  preached  to 
us  in  his  name,  that  we  might  return  to  him,  that  we 
might  receive  the  adoption  of  fons.  Amazing  grace 
indeed  ? 

Objeftion. — But  there  are  two  paffage^  in  the  New^ 
Teftament  that  feem  at  firft  view  to  mention  repen- 
tance as  a  condition.  The  firft  is  A^ts  ii.  38.  Then 
Peter  Jaid  unto  them,  repent  and  be  Baptized  every  one 
of  you,  for  the  remiffion  of  fins,  andyeffiall  receive 
the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghofi.  But  if  it  be  fafe  to  un- 
derftand  this/br,  Sec,  as  the  reafon  or  ground  of  the 
call  to  repentance,  Repent,  becaufe  of  the  remiffio7i  of 
fms^  the  difficulty  will  difappear?  and  the  paffage  ap- 
pear fully  confiftent  with  the  other  paflages  that  have 
been  brought  to  view  ;  and  this  view  I  think  may  be 
fairly  gathered  from  what  the  apoftle  had  before  been 
preaching  of  the  death  and  refurreftion  of  Christ, 
in  which  there  is  remiffion,  and  the  evidence  of  it. 
But  ifitbe  ftill  urged  as  a  condition,  it  can  be  no 
otherways,  than  as  it  cannot  otherwife  take  place  in 
our  minds,  for  though  there  is  remiffion  in  the  one 
facrifice,  and  fo  no  more  ojfering  for  fin  as  the  apoftle 
exprefted  it,  Hebrews  x.  18,  yet  it  cannot  take  place 
in  the  minds  of  any  while  they  remain  in  unbelief  and 
impenitence  :  Yet  their  unbelief  cannot  make  tht 
truth  of  God  of  none  effe61:.  While  perfons  remain 
jn  unbelief  they  muft  remain  in  impenitence  ;  for 
how  can  any  repent  of  being  in  a  wrong  way  until  they 
know  Jesus  who  is  the  -way ;  of  their  being  in  error, 
imtil  they  know  Jesus,  who  is  the  truth  ;  and  of  their 
being  in  a  ftate  of  death,  and  all  their  works,  dead 
works,  until  they  know  Jesus,  who  is  the  life.  Or 
how  can  any  repent  of  their  alienation  and  enmity 
until  they  know  God  in  Christ,  the  juft  God  and 
the  Saviour—- their  rightful  owner — th  eir  Lord  Re- 
deemer. 

It 


7S 


The  gospel  of  PEACE,  Sec. 


It  may  be  what  Is  above  faid,  may  help  to  illuftratf 
the  other  pafiage  in  ABs  iii.  19.  Repent  ye  therefore 
land  be  converted^  that  your  Jins  may  be  blotted  oiity 
when  the  times  of  refrejhing Jhutl  come^from  the  prc- 
fence  of  the  Lord. 

Repent  ye  iherefore.  Therefor^  refers  to  what  went' 
before  ;  what  the  apofde  had  been  preaching  con- 
cerning the  holy^one,  and  the  iuf},  the  prince  of  life, 
his  death  and  refurreftion,  in  which,  as  before,  there 
was  remiffion,  and  the  evidence  of  it ;  in  which  there 
was  enough  to  furnifh  even  thofe  that  were  charged 
with  kiWing  the  prince  of  life  with  hope,  with  the 
"  appreheofion  of  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ,"  as 
even  the  Affembly's  Catechifm  cxprefTes  it,  fo  as  to 
give  them  ground  of  encouragement  to  repentance. 

Repent  ye  therefore  and  be  converted  ;  be  turned 
from  your  error,  alienation,  and  enmity,  to  allegiance 
to  the  prince  of  life,  #iat  your  fins  may  be  blotted 
out  :  For  as  infidelity  and  impenitence  are  infepar- 
able  ;  fo  is  faith,  repentance  and  allegiance  :  While 
the  former  continues,  guilt,  diftrefs,  fear,  horror  and 
perplexity,  remain  on  the  mind. 

When  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  or  faith,  or  the 
belief  of  the  truth  concerning  Jesu^  Christ  *  take 

place 

*  It  is  the  work  of  the  fpirit,  for  no  man  can  fay  that  Jefus  is  the 
Lord,  but  by  the  Holy  GhoJI  j  and  the  Prophet  Ze>.hartah,  chap.  xii.  lo. 
exprefles  it  thus,  I  'will pour  u^«n  the  hvufe  of  David,  and  on  the  in-, 
habitants  of  J erufalem,  the  fpirtt  of  grace  and  fupflications  ;  and  they 
foall  look  on  me  nvhom  they  ha-ue  pierced,  ^nd  they  jhall  mourn  Jor  him, 
as  one  moiimeth  for  his  onlyfon,  and  be  in  bitternefs  as  one  is  in  bitter- 
ncfsfor  hisfirft  born.  But  the  fpirit  of  God  makes  ufe  of  the  truth  of 
the  pofpel  as  a  means  hereunto  ;  is  not  this  intimated  \n  Ifaiah  xxx. 
»i.  Thine  ears  Jhall  bear  aboard  behind  thee,  *  This  is  the'way—ivalk 
ye  in  it.  Is  not  he  the  mefiTenger,  the  interpreter,  one  ofathoufand 
fpoken  of,  Job  xxxiii.  23.  Tofhenv  unto  man  his  upri^htnefs  ;  the  up- 
n^htnefs  of  Jefus  Chrift,  lhroup;h  which,'  be  is  gracious  tO'  him,  and 
faith,  delin'er  him,  for  I  havefoiinda  ranfom  ;  his  flejb  fhall  be  frefher 
than  childhood,  hefijall  return  to  the  days  of  his  vouth,  hefball  pray  unto 
God,  and  he  fmll  be  fai)ourablc  to  him,  and  he  fhall  fee  his  face  ivithjoy. 
Compare  this  with  tlie  defcription  of  the  fame  perfon  before  he  knew 
Jef^s  Chrift  as  in  the  19,  ao,  31  and  aa  verfes. 

»  Fot-  we  are  always  looking  the  wrong  way  for  remiffiOR  of  fins 
tintil  taught  of  God. 


Thi  gospel  of  peace,  Sec.  79 

place  in  the  mind,  repentance  and  converfion  take 
place  there  alfo  ;  ^hereupon  guilt,  fear  and  terror  are 
removed ;  that  which  was  blptted  out  or  remitted  be- 
fore, in  the  perfect  work  of  Christ,  is  alfo  blotted 
out  of  the  mind   and  confcience  ;  agreeable  to  Ro- 
mans viii.  33,  34.     //  is  God  that  jiijlijieth  ;  Who  is 
he  that  chndemneth  ?  It  is  Christ  that  died, yea,  ra- 
ther; that  is  rifen  again  :  And  inftead  of  looking  for 
the  appearing  of  Jesus  Christ  with  terror  and  a- 
mazcment,  it  is  waited  for  with  hope,  joy  and  confola- 
tion,  in  proportion,  to   the   ftrength   of  faith,   repen- 
tance and  allegiance,  agreeable  to  the  forementioned, 
ift  o^TheJfalonians  i.  9.  10.     They  themfelves  Jliew  of 
3f5  what  manner  of  entering  in  we  had  unto  you  :  How 
ye  turned  unto  God  from  idols,  toferve  the  living  ani 
true  God,  and  to  wait  for  his  fon  from  Heaven,  whom 
he  raifed  from  the  dead,  Jefus  who  deliver  eth  us  from- 
the  wrath  to  come. 

Thus  have  I  purfued  the  inquiry  concerning  gof- 
pel  repentance:  And  purpofeto  clofe  with  an  add  re  fs, 

I.  To  the  author  of  a  pamphlet,  entitled,  "  The 
glory  of  God  in  the  fnal  condemnation  of  the  ungod- 
ly r     And, 

II.  To  all  for  whom  Christ  died. 

I.  To  TH£  Author  of  the  Pamphlet. 

Dear  Sir, 

AS  your  pamphlet  was  probably  the  occafion  of 
the  foregoing  reflections,  I  have  taken  the  freedom 
to  addrefs  you  on  the  fubjefl.  When  1  read  your 
work,  if  I  recolleft  the  idea  the  doftrine  there  ad* 
vanced  gave  me,  it  was  this,  That  Christ  died  for 
all,  to  bring  them  into  a  falviible  ftate,  yet  all  would 
not  be  faVed,  though  they  might,  if  they  repented, 
confequendy  God's  glory  would  finally  illullrioufly 
appear  in  the  cvcrlafling  condemnation  of  the  finally 
impenitent. 

And  as  the  ear  trieth  words,  as  the  mouth  taftcth 
meats,  I  found  it  did  not  found  like  the  report  of  the 

gofpel, 


B6  The  GOSPEL  of  P£ACE,  <&:c. 

gofpel,  and  on  enquiring  into  the  doftfine  of  repen- 
tance, I  have  coUeftcd  the  thoughts  which  are  pre- 
fented  to  you,  I  hope  in  love  and  faithfulnefs.  The 
idea  I  received  from  the  fcriptures  of  the  Old  Tella- 
ment  is,  that  he  fhould  finifh  the  tranfgreffion — make 
an  end  of  liri — rnake'reconciliation  for  iniquity— and 
bring  in  everiafting  righteoufnefs.  The  New  Tefta- 
ment  witncffes  that  he  did. — The  teftatoi-  appeals  to 
the  father—/  have  glorified  thee  on  earth  :  /  have  Jin- 
i/Jied  the  work  thougavejl  me  to  do,  and  cries  out  on 
tlie  crofsj  It  isjinijhedy  and  feals  it  with  his  blood, 
and  witncfles  it  in  his  refurrefilion,  when  he  fhews 
himfelf  alive  to  his  chofen  witnefTes,  who  teftified  to 
the  fame  truth. — One  paffagemay  fufficfc  :  In  Hebrews 
X,  iidi,  the  apoftle  fpeaking  of  the  priefthood  under 
the  law,  fays,  and  every  prieft  ftandeth  daily  minifter- 
ing,  and  offering  oftentimes  the  fame  facrifices,  which 
Can  never  take  away  fm,  but  this  man  after  he  had 
offered  one  facrifice  for  fins,  forever  fat  down  on  the 
right  hand  of  God.  They  flood  as  thofe  that  had 
not  done — could  not  accompHfh  :  But  the  High 
Priefl  Jesus  after  he  had  offered  one  facrifice /a^ 
down  as  having  finifhed  his  work,  Jtnijhed  tranf- 
grejfion—made  an  end  of  Jin — viade  reconciliation  for 
iniquity — and  brought  in  everlajling  righteoufnefs, 
Verfe  1 8th  fays.  Where  remtfjion  of  thofe  is,  there  ii 
no  more  facrifice  for  fin. 

Thus  the  fcripture  leads  to  full  remiffion,  when  he 
had  by  himfelf  purged  our  fins,  to  a  finiflied  work. 

But  your  doftrine  appears  to  me  to  lead  to  an  un- 
finiflied  work,  dependent  .on  the  exercifes,  the  exer- 
trtions,  in  fhort,  the  will  of  the  creature,  and  be- 
caulb  they  will  not  come,  that  they  might  have  life, 
he  muft  glorify  himfelf  in  the  deftrudion  of  multi- 
tudes for  whom  he  died. 

Let  me  alk  you,  Sir,  How  ?  Is  his  mercy  glorified  ? 
Is  his  juftice  fatisfied  ?  Is  his  power  made  manifefl.'' 

Is 


The  gospel  of  PEACE,  &c.  81 


Is  he  mighty  to  fave  ?  He  will  have  all  men  to  be  fa- 
ved,  not  he  would,  but  he  will.  Who  hath  refin- 
ed his  will  ?  Is  it  the  will  of  the  creature  ?*  Cannot 
he  make  them  willing  in  the  day  of  his  power  ?  His 
people  fhall  be  ;  and  are  not  all  his  people  far  whom 
he  died  ?  But  I  forbear;  wifliingto  fay  no  more  than 
is  fufhcient  to  difcJiarge  my  confcience  in  love  and 
faithfulnefs  to  you.  But  I  cannot  pafs  over  your  Ei- 
fay  without  taking  notice  of  the  title,  to  compare  it 
with  the  fcriptures. 


Scripture  text,  Romans 
iv.  5.  He  that  jujiifieth  the 
ungodly.  Rom.  v.  6,  Chrijl 
died  for  the  ungodly. 


Your  Title. 
Divine   Glory    brought  to 
view,  in  the  condemnation 
of  the  ungodly,. 


On  enquiry,  How  can  this  be  in  confiftence  with 
thofe  fcriptures  ?  I  anfwer,  it  can  be  no  otheru'ays  in 
a  confiftence  with  them,  than  in  the  fulfilment  of  i/ffZi^A's 
prophecy,  chap,  liii.  4,  5,  6.  Surely  he  hath  borne  our 
griefs,  and  carried  our  forrows  :  Yet  we  did  efteem 
himflricken,  fmitten  of  God,  and  offtided.  But  he 
was  wounded  for  our  iranfgrejjtons,  bruifedfor  our 
iniquities :  The  thaftifement  of^  our  peace  was  upon 
him,  and  with  his  firipes  we  are  healed.  All  we  like 
^/heep  have  gone  ajiray  ;  we  have  turned  every  one  to 
his  own  way,  and  the  Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the  iniqui- 
ty of  us  all.  So  dying  for  the  ungodly,  he  juftifics 
the  ungodly,  and  the  divine  glory  is  brought  to  view 
illuftrioufly  to  eternity  herein.     For  mercy  is  glorified ; 

juftice 

•  Two  Clergymen,  converfing  together  of  the  doftrine  of  the 
final  Univedal  Salvation  of  all  men,  very  much  wondered  at  each 
other;— one  held  that  all  for  whom  Chnll  died  (hould  certainly  be 
faved,  but  that  he  did  not  die  for  all  ; — The  other  that  he  died  for 
all,  but  all  would  not  be  faved,  becaufe  they  would  not  come  to  him. 
Said  the  latter  to  the  former,  I'm  very  much  altoniihed  at  you,  that 
you  do  not  embrace  that  dp^trine — For  if  1  believed  as  von,  I  fliould, 
for  nothing  is  more  clear  from  fcripture,  than  that  ChriA:  died  for  all  : 
The  former  anfwered,  I  as  much  wonder  at  you,  that  you  do  tiot  cm- 
brace  it,  I  am  lure  1  fhould,  if  I  believed  as  you,  for  it  he  died  for  all 
there  is  no  power  on  earth  or  he'll  can  hinder  their  falvation  ;— He 
cannot  be  diiap pointed. 

L 


8«  The  GOSPEL  op  PEACE,  &c. 

juftice  is  fatisfied  :  and  he  fpeaks   In   righteoufnefs, 
when  he  manifefts  himfelf  mighty  to  fave. 

But  view  the  title  page  as  it  appears  intended,  what 
confolation    is  there   for  a  poor,  deftitute,  ungodly 
creature  ?  Suppofe  him  on  a  death  bed,  agonizing 
with  anguifh  of  foul,  nothing  fhort  of  perfuafion  that 
there  was  an  all-fufficient  remedy  for  his  deplorable 
condition,  could  afford  him  the  leaft  comfort  or  re- 
lief    Were  you  conftrained  in  this  fad  hour  to  ad- 
minifter  them  from  thofe  texts,  in  the  belief  of  your 
title,  would  he  not  fay,  I  am  mocked  ?  But  perhaps 
you  might  not  offer  them  on  fuch  an  occafion.     Why? 
Are  they  not  fcripture  truths?  Did  not  Christ  die 
for  the  ungodly,  and  in  proof,  his  dying  for  our  fms 
was  accepted  ;  he  rofe  again  for  our  juftification,  and 
is  not  the  knowledge  of  this  truth  all-fufficient  to  qui- 
et the  moft  guilty  confcience,  and  give  hope  towards 
God  ?  Would    it   be   fafe  to  tell  him   the   law  of 
God  flandsin  full  force  againfl   him,   when  Jesus 
came   to  redeem  them   that  were   under   the  law  ? 
Would  it  not  amount  to  denying  that  Jesus  is  come 
in  the  flefh  ?  Would  it  be  fafe  to  tell  fuch  a  man  to 
exert  himfelf  in  any  way,   however  defcribed,   as  if 
this  was  the  laft  opportunity,  and  his  all  depended  on 
it  ?  It  would  indeed  be  to  mock  him  !  when  his  all 
depends  on  what  Jesus  Christ  finiflied,  and  the  re- 
lief of  his  mind  on  the  knowledge  of  it. 

Suffer  me  a  little  further,  if  in  looking  over  this 
dreadful  tide,  I  exprefs  my  furprife  that  to  it  fliould 
be  added  in  the  title  page.  Search  the  fcriptures ; 
when  you  attempt  to  illuftrate  it  by  reafoning,  with- 
out producing  one  text  to  fhew  that  the  Ever-blefled 
fpeaks  of  condemnation  as  his  glory.  When  the 
fcriptures  fpeak  of  the  divine  glory  as  manifefl  in  his 
grace,  mercy  and  forgivenefs — when  Mofes  faid  in 
Exodus  xxxiii.  18.  I  hejeech  thee  Jhew  me  thy  glory^ 
the  anfwer  is,  I  will  make  all  my  goodnejs  pafs  before 

theCf 


The  gospel  of  PEACE,  Sec,  83 

M<?<rj  and  will  be  gracious  to  whom  I  will  be  gracious^ 
and  will  Jhew  mercy  on  whom  I  will  piew  mercy  : 
Here  goodnefs,  grace  and  mercy  is  his  glory.  In 
Proverbs  xix.  11,  we  read,  the  dijcretion  of  a  man 
deferreth  his  anger,  and  his  glory  io  pafs  over  a 
iranfgrejfion.  If  we  underftand  the  proverb,  and  its 
interpretation,  it  doubtlefs  refers  to  the  man  Christ 
Jesus,  in  whom  we  have  the  light  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  glory  of  God. 

In  Pjalvi  cii.  16,  it  is  faid,  When  the  Lord  fiall 
build  up  Zion,  he Jliall  appear  in  his  Glory. — How 
is  this  made  manifeft  ? — In  regarding  the  prayer  of 
the  dcftitute ;  in  hearing  the  groaning  of  the  prifon- 
cr,  and  faving  the  fons  of  death — To  declare  his  name 
in  Zion,  and  his  praife  in  Jerufalem — That  is  his 
name.  Forgiving  iniquity^  iranfgrejfion  and  Jins, 
through  the  furety  whom  he  would  by  no  means  clear, 
for  the  Lord  laid  on  him  the  iniquities  of  us  all,  and 
/pared  not  his  own/on,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all, 
in  luhom  toe  have  redemption  through  his  blood,  the 
Jorgivenefs  of  Jin,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace  : 
Riches  of  his  grace  ;  is  not  this  his  glory  ?  Yes.  veri- 
ly ;  the  exceeding  riches  of  his  grace,  in  his  kindnefs 
towards  us  through  Christ  Jesus. 

The  angel  of  the  Lord  came  upon  the  fhepherds, 
in  Luke  ii.  9.  And  the  Glory  of  the  Lordjhone  round 
about  them  :  How  is  this  made  manifeft  ?  Behold, 
fays  the  angel,  /  bring  you,  good  tidings  oj  great  joy 
which  Jhall  be  to  all  people,  for  unto  you  is  born  this 
day  in  the  city  oJ  David,  a  Saviour,  which  is  Chrijl 
the  Lord  :  Glory  to  God  in  the  higheji,  and  on  earth 
peace,  good  will  towards  men. 

I  have  briefly  prefented  thefe  few  paffages,  wi fil- 
ing you  to  turn  to  the  fcriptures,  to  view  the  divine 
glory,  and  if  thefe  texts,  with  what  has  been  brought 
to  view  (in  page  73)  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  being 
revealed,  Nvas  rightly  undcrftood  by  thofe  that  fearch 

the 


^4  The  GOSPEL  a?   PEACE,  ^c. 

the  fcriptures,  I  doubt  not  it  would  lead  into  tVie  under- 
standing of  many  pafiages  in  the  Old  Teftament, 
where  the  glory  of  the  Lord  appeared  in  the  cloud, 
filled  the  tabernacle,  filled  the  houfe,  and  the  appear- 
ance of  the  likenefs  of  the  glory  of  the  LoRDjfpokea 
of  by  Ezekiel,  and  many  other  paffages,  that  fpeak 
of  the  Divine  Glory,  as  they  centre  in  Jesus  the  an- 
titype, the  brightnefs  of  glory ;  in  whom  the  riches  of 
his  glory  is  made  manifeft,  who  came  not  to  deftroy 
men's  lives,  but  to  fave  them  ;  not  to  condemn  the 
world,  but  that  the  world  through  him  might  be  fav- 
ed.  Indeed,  Sir,  if  you  think  a  few  minutes,  you 
cannot  defpife  an  invitation  to  this  contemplation, 
for  it  is  the  final  happinefs  of  thofe  given  to  Jesus 
Christ,  to  be  with  him,  to  behold  his  glory. 

I  would  juft  take  notice  of  what  you  fay  in  page  50. 
"  /  conceive  therefore  that  every  honeji  man  that  dif- 
believes  the  Jentiment^  will  he  free  to  declare  it,  and 
this  plainly.  I  take  liberty  to  add,  that  fuch  a  decla- 
ration will  come  With  peculiar  propriety  and  weight 
from  the  pulpit  Watchr/ian,  what  of  the  night,  it  is  the 
language  of  the  Almighty  to  gofpel  mini/iers" 

"  With  particular  weight  fro7n  the  pulpit.'^  I  con- 
ceive the  weight  of  any  doSlrine  confifts  in  the  evi- 
dence of  its  truth  and  divinity,  not  in  the  place  where, 
or  from  whence  it  is  delivered.  Suppofe  a  pulpit 
ornamented  to  fuch  an  extravagant  degree,  that  the 
firft  fight  of  it  would  ftrike,  ii  of  Chronicles  xxxiii.  7. 
immediately  into  the  mind  :  Or  fuppofe  the  preach- 
er fo  dirtinguifhed  in  habit,  as  immediately  to  bring 
to  view  the  warning  of  Jesus  Christ  to  his  difci- 
ples,  in  Mark  xii.  38,  and  Luke  xx.  46 — would  it 
not  tend  to  a  greater  caution  of  mind  about  the  doc- 
trines they  deliver,  fo  that  all  hope  of  weight  and 
importance  muft  come  from  the  clear  evidence  of 
the  truth,  that  it  is  indeed  the  word  of  God  which 
worketh  effe6tually  in  them  that  believe,  which  is  the 
word  of  the  fpirit,  yea,  quick  and  powerful — fharper 
ban  any  two-edged  fword.  "  Watchman^ 


The  gospel  of   PEACE,  Sec.  85 

"  Watchman^  what  of  the  night,  it  is  the  language 
of  the  Almighty  to  gofpel  irrdnifiers!'  However  that 
may  be,  I  am  not  able  to  fay,  but  if  it  be  fo,  gofpel 
miniftersare  melfengers  of  peace — good  news — glad 
tidings  :  The  founder  of  the  gofpel  was  fo.  Ifaiah 
Ixi.  I,  Luke  iv.  18,  he  was  anointed /o  j&rfficVj  the 
gofpel  to  the  poor  ;  and  how  beautiful  upon  the  moun- 
tains, are  the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings  ; 
that  piihli/Jieth  peace  ;  that  bringeth  good  tidings  of 
good  :  that  puhlifketh  falvation  :  that  faith  to  Zion^ 
thy  God  reigneih — not  thy  perverfe  will,  nor  thy  ad- 
vcrfary.  The  firfl  preachers  preached  peace  by 
Jesus  Christ  ;  he  is  Lord  of  all  ;  and  gofpel  minil- 
ters  have  now  nothing  elfe  to  bring  to  view  but  the 
preaching  of  Jesus  and  his  apoftlcs — If  that  was  to 
publifh  peace  and  glad  tidings  of  falvation,  your 
dodrine  of  eternal  condemnation  is  its  oppofite,  and 
cannot  poiTibly  bring  peace  or  glad  tidings  of  falva- 
tion to  any  of  the  fubjefta  of  it :  But  feeing,  God  was 
in  Chrift  reconciling  the  world  to  himfelfnot  imputing, 
their  trefpaffes  unto  them,  may  v/e  be  reconciled  unto 
God.  ^ 

n.  To  all  for  whom  Christ  died. 

And  blefied  be  God,  he  tailed  death  for  every 
man.  For  if  there  be  any  for  whom  he  did  not  die, 
it  would  be  mocking  them  to  preach  the  gofpel  to 
them,  to  tell  them  that  the  law  is  anfwered,  that  juf- 
lice  is  fatisfied,  and  mercy  flows  freely  in  a  full  con- 
fiftency  therewith,  that  the  only  living  and  true  God 
is  the  juft  GoT>,  and  the  Saviour,  and  there  is  none 
elfe,  to  tell  them  of  remiflion  of  (ins,  or  call  them  to 
repentance,  for  certainly  there  could  be  no  hope, 
if  their  iins  were  not  remitted  they  never  can  be,  for 
Christ  dieth  no  more,  there  is  no  more  facrifice  for 
fin;  but  feeing  the  righteoufnefs  of  God,  which  is 
by  faith,  is  unto  all,  as  well  as  upon  all  that  belie\fc 
2.11  may  be  called  to  repentance. 

Firft, 


86  The  GOSPEL  op  PEACE,  <Sfc. 

Firfi.  Such  as  appear  in  a  ftate  of  refolved  infi- 
delity and  impenitence,  and  chofe  to  live  in  profane- 
nefs  and  iramorality,  to  fuch  repentance  and  remif. 
fion  of  fins,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  is  preached  :  What 
though  they  deride  the  meflengers,  and  the  meffage, 
they  fliall  be  brought  hereto,  for  i^/r/?,  Jesus  Christ 
came  to  feek  and  fave  that  which  was  loft ;  to  call 
finners  to  repentance.  The  feveral  pallages  where 
this  is  mentioned,  viz.  Mait,  ix.  13.  Mark  ii.  7.  and 
Luke  V.  32,  have  all  referrence  to  publicans  and  fin- 
ners ;  the  phrafe  for  abandoned  charafters  among 
the  Jews  at  that  day  :  And  were  not  they,  and  are 
not  the  fame  charaQers  now,  though  differently  de- 
fcribed,  wrong^  are  they  not  alienated  from  theirright- 
ful  owner,  are  they  not  loft;  if  fo,  Christ  came  to  fave 
them;  are  they  not  finners — iffojhe  came  to  call  them 
to  repentance. 

Secondly.  Jesus  fent  his  difciples  to  preach  it  in. 
bis  name.  And  as  the  rain  cometh  down,  and  thefnow 
from  heaven,  and  returneth  not  thither  again,  but 
water eth  the  earth, fo  Jhall  my  zvord  be,  faith  the  Lord, 
by  the  prophet  Tfaiah,  chap  Iv.  10,  11.  That  goeth 
out  of  my  mouth,  it  Jhall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but 
it /hail  accomfliJJi  what  I  pleafe,  and  proffer  m  the 
thing  whereta  I  fent  it. 

Thirdly.  Now  he  hath  commanded  all  men  every 
where  to  repent  ;  and  his  commands  fliall  be  obeyed, 
for  P/iz/mcxlviii.  he  commanded,  and  angels,  fun,  moon, 
andjlars,  the  Heavens,  and  the  waters  above  them  were 
created.  2  oi  Corinth,  iv.  6. — He  commanded  the  light 
to  Jhine  out  of  darknefs.  Pfalm  cvii.  25.  He  com- 
mandeth  and  raifeth  the  florw,y  wind.  Luke  viii.  25. 
He  commandeth  even  the  winds  and  the  waters,  and 
they  obey  him. 

Fourthly.  He  is  exalted  a  prince  and  a  Saviour,  to 
give  repentance  to  Ifrael,  and  remiffion  of  fins.     Pro- 
phefied  cA Ifaiah  xxx.  18.  Therefore  will  he  be  exalt- 
ed  that  he  may  have  mercy.    But  it  was  to  give  repen- 
tance 


The  gospel  o?  PEACE,  &c.  87 

tancc  to  Ifrael.  It  was  not  then  fully  maftifefted  that 
they  were  to  go  to  the  Gentiles  :  But  from  the  time  of 
Peter's  vifion,  he  was  taught  to  call  no  man  common, 
or  linclean;  and  the  Gentiles  appeared  to  be  fellow- 
heirs,  and  of  the  fame  body  ;  and  that  they  were  to 
preach  among  them  the  unfearchable  riches  of 
Christ. 

Fifthly.  The  long  fuffering  patience  of  God  is  ex- 
tended for  this  end,  2d  of  Peter,  iii.  9,  the  Lord  is 
long  fuffering  toward  us,  not  willing  that  any  fliould 
perifh,  but  that  all  Ihould  come  to  repentance,  agree- 
able to  Ifaiah  xxx.  18,  and  therefore  will  the  Lord 
wait  that  he  may  be  gracious.  Nov/  put  thcfe  things 
together,  and  (hall  the  ftout-heartednefs  and  dbftinacy 
of  the  unbelieving  impenitent  and  profane  children 
of  men,  difappoint  him.  What  will'they  do  ?  He  is 
wife  in  heart  and  mighty  in  ftrength :  None  ever  har- 
dened himfelf  againft  him  and  profpered ;  there  is  no 
wifdom,  nor  underftanding,  nor  counfel  againft  the 
Lord,  who  would  fet  the  briars  and  thorns  againft 
him  in  batde  ;  he  would  go  through  them,  and  burn 
them  together. 

Perhaps  they  would  fain  flee  out  of  his  hand;  but 
where  will  they  flee  from  his  prefence  ?  What  the 
Lord  faith  by  the  prophet  Amos,  may  be  here  brought 
to  view,  Amos  ix.  2.  He  that  fleeth  of  them  Jh  all  mi 
flee  away,  and  he  that  efcapeth  of  them  /hall  not  be,de- 
Iruered  ;  though  they  dig  into  hell,  thence  fJiall  piinc 
hand  take  them  ;  though  they  climb  up  into  Heflven, 
therice  will  I  bring  them  down  ;  and  though  they  hide 
themfelves  in  the  top  of  Carmel,  I  will  fsarch  and  take 
them  out  thence  ;  and  though  they  be  hid  frsmitny  fight ^ 
in  the  bottom  of  the  fea,  thence  will  I  command  thefcr- 
pent,  and ^heJJiall  bite  them.  From- hence  it  appears 
weak,  fruitlefs  and- contemptible  to  fet  the  obftinacy 
of  man  againft  the  end  of  the  coming,  the  call,  the 
command,  the  delign  of  the  exaltation,  and  the  long 

fuffering 


88  The  GOSPEL  of  PEACE,  Sec. 

fuffering  patience  of  Jesus  Christ;  efpecially  if 
xve  confider  Ifaiah  xlv.  22,  23,  where  wc  have  tli<5 
divine  oath  that  eveiy  knee  ihall  bow ;  it  may  be 
added. 

Sixthly.  It  is  tlie  defign  of  the  fecond  coming  of 
Jesus  Christ  to  convince  all  that  afe  ungodly,  of 
all  their  ungodly  deeds,  and  of  all  their  hard  fpeech- 
es  which  ungodly  finners  have  fpoken  againft  him, 
jfude  14,  15.  Then  every  eye  fhall  fee  him,  and 
they  that  pierced  him  and  all  kindred  of  the  earth 
ihall  wail  becaufe  of  him,  as  we  read  Rfv.  i.  7.  Com- 
pare this  with  Zech.  xii.  10,  and  they  fhall  look  upon 
fne,  whom  they  have  pierced,  and  they  fhall  maura 
for  him  as  one  mourneth  for  his  only  fon,  and  be  in 
bitternefs  for  him  as  one  is  in  bitternefs  for  his  firft 
born.  Here  is  Vailing,  mourning,  and  bitternefs  at 
the  fight  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  moft  expreffive 
language  we  can  imagine.  See  Jeremiah  ix.  lO,  18, 
19,  which  perhaps  none  can  form  an  adequate  idea 
of,  but  fuch  as  have  been  called  into  the  defcribed 
circumftanccs  ;  which  yet  cannot  be  viewed  as  the 
language  of  defpair;  for  how  then  can  w^e  underftand 
the  following  words,  evcnfo  amen.  But  if  we  may 
underftand  John  as  fpeaking  of  thofc  who  pierced 
him  being  brought  every  knee  of  them  to  bow  to 
hiiH,  with  the  wailing  of  repentance,  then  the  evenfo 
amen  appears  agreeable  to  the  fpirit  of  the  gofpel. 
Undoubtedly  then  every  mouth  will  be  flopped,  and 
all  the  world  guilty  before  God,  which  when  the 
Apoftle  mentions,  in  Rom.  iii.  19,  he  adds,  in  verfc 
21,  But  now  ike  righteoufnefs  of  God  without  the  law 
is  7nanifejl^  being  witnejfed  by  the  law,  and  the  proph- 
ets, even  the  righteoufnefs  of  God,  which  is  by  faith  of 
Jefus  Chrijl  unto  all,  and  upon  all  that  believe  :  For 
there  is  no  difference,  refpefting  the  purchafe  of 
Christ,  who  died  for  all ;  and  refpefting  the  divine 
will,  who  will  have  all  men  to  befaved^  and  come  to 

ths 


The  gospel  of  PEACE,  Sec.  89 

ike  knowledge  of  the  truths  which  agrees  with  Romans 
xi.  32,  he  hath  concluded  them  all  in  unbelief  that  he 
Tiiigki  have  mi-rcy   on  all.       This   do6lrine    muft  be 
Ihocking  to  tradition,  and  no  wonder,  for  0  /  the  depth 
of  the  riches  both  of  the  wifdom  and  knowledge  of  God^ 
hovj  urfearchable  his  judgment  s.^  and  his  ways  paf-  find- 
ing out.     It  appears  to  agree  with  the  end  and  defiga 
of  Christ's  prayer,for  his  own  immediate  difciples, 
and  for  them  that  fhall  beUeve  through  their  word,  as 
cxpreiled,  JoAn  xvii.  21,  23.     That  they  all  maybe 
one  as  thou  father  In  me.,  and  I  in  thee  ;  that  they  al- 
fo  may  be  one  in   us,  that  the    world  may  believe  that 
thou  haflfent  vie.     I  in  them^  and  thou  in  vie,  that  the 
world  may  know  that  thou  hajifent  me.     The  very  cir- 
cumflance   that  the   difciples  were  in,  (verfe  8)   and 
have  known  furely,  that  I   came  out  from  thee,  and 
they  have  beHeved  that  thou  didft  fend  mc.  The  ma- 
nifeftation  of  this  onenefs  I  conceive  to  be  what  is 
called  the  manifeftation  of  the   fons  of  God,  ^yhich 
the  earneft  expefctation  of  the    creature    waiteth  for. 
Every  creature,  both  believers  and  unbelievers,  are  in 
fome  way  groaning  and   traveling   together  for  this, 
as  we  fee  in  Rom.  viii.  32.  For  we  know  that  the  whole 
creation  (in  the  Bible  margin  it  is  every  creature.     I 
am  informed  it  is  the  fame  word  ufed  in  Mark  xvi.  15, 
Go  preach  the  gofptl  to  every  creature)  the  whole  cre- 
ation, or  every   creature,  groaneth  and  traveleth  in 
pain  together.     I  know  not  of  one  of  the  human  race 
that  is  not  in  fome  way  groaning   under  the  bondage 
of  corruption.     Verfe  23.  And  not  only  they,  but  our^ 
f elves  alfo,  which  have  the  firfl  fruits  of  thefpirit,  even 
we  ourfelves  groan  within   ourf elves,  waiting  for  the 
adoption,  the  redeinption  of  our  body — the  whole  body^ 
of  which  Christ  is  the  head. — This  agrees  with  the 
defign  of  Jesus  being  made  under  the  law,,  that  we 
might  receive  the  adoption  of  fons. 

II.  Thofeofoppofite  character,  that   thank    God 
ihey  are  not  as  other  men,   but  pride  themfelvcs  in 


go        .  The  GOSPEL  of  PEACE,  Set. 

their  own  religious  chara8:er.s,  to  the  dcfpifing  thofi 
abovcmentioned.  To  fuch  repentence  and  remiffion 
of  fins  are  preached  in  the  name  of  Ji- sus.  Alas,  if 
they  look  for  remiffion  in  their  own  name,  or  on  ac- 
count of  any  diftin6Hon  in  them,  it  will  difappoint 
them  ;  for,  lays  the  prophet,  all  our  righteoufnefs  is  as 
filthy  rags  :  And  Paul^  ■  fpeaking  of  his,  fays,  what 
things  I  counted  gain,  thofel  count  lofs  for  Christ  ; 
but  what  has  been  already  faid  on  Johns  preaching, 
may  fuffice  on  this  head. 

III.  Such  as  are  diftrefTed  and  perplexed  for  want 
of  righteoufnefs,  wifhing  for  forae  inherent  qualifiea- 
tions,  Or  ta  perform  many  external  duties,  to  recom- 
mend them  to  the  divine  favour,  of  are  ready  to  wifh 
they  were  as  fuch  and  fuch,  who  they  apprehend  to 
have  high  attainments,  and  great  charafters  for  piety ; 
diftrefTed  with  the  anxious  inquiry,  wherewithal! 
fliall  I  come  before  the  Lord  ?  Will  he  be  pleafed 
with  coftly  facrifices — thoufands  of  rams,  or  ten  thou- 
fand  rivers  of  oil,  or  my  firft  born  for  my  tranfgref- 
fion  ; — the  fruit  of  my  body  for  the  fm  of  my  foul  ? — 
He  hath  fhewed  thee,  O  man,  what  good  is  the  only 
all-fufficient  one,  to  recommend  thee  to  the  divine  fa- 
vour, in  the  finiflied  work  of  Jesus  Chrisf,  inwhich 
is  full  remiffion  of  fins,  and  a  call  to  repent  of  feeking 
it  any  other  where.  God  zi  love,  and  in  this  was  ma' 
7ijfejied  the  love  of  Ood  towards  us^becavfe  Gon  f cut 
his  only  beloved  Jon,  that  we  might  live  through  him. 
God  w«5 /ra  Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto  htm ' 
felf,  not  mpvting  their  trefpajfes  unto  them.  Only  view 
the  chara6lerof  the  true  God  as  manifefted  in  Christ. 
(Elfewhere  we  cannot  fee  him,  for  no  man  hath  feen 
God  at  any  time  ;  the  only  begotten  fon,  who  was  in 
the  bofomofthe  father,  he  hath  declared  him).  Agree- 
able to  Zechariah  ix.  9.  He  is  juji  and  having  falva- 
tion.  Ifaiah  xlv.  21,  I  the  Lord,  and  none  befide  7ne, 
aju/l  G0D5  and  a  SaviouRj  and  none  befide.     Ifjuf- 

tice 


Tht  gospel  of    peace,  &c.  91 

See  and  falvation  is  united  in  the  charafter  of  the 
only  living  and  true  God,  and  he  calls  to  all  the  ends 
of  the  earth  to  look  to  him,  and  be  faved,  if  it  be 
righdy  underftood,  it  is  enough  to  cheer  the  heart  of 
the  mofl  forlorn  and  dejefled  in  any  corner  of  the 
earth. 

IV.  Thofe  that  believe  that  Jefus  is  the  Chrift, 
that  he  hath  fully  obeyed  the  precepts  of  the  law  in 
his  life,  and  fuffered  the  penalty  in  his  death,  to  the 
fatisfaftion  of  juftice,and  thereby  made  full  remiflion,. 
as  witnefled  in  his  refurreQ.ion,  lb  that  their  minds  are 
at  peace  and  refl  in  his  finilhed  v/ork  alone,  as  their 
only  ground  of  hops — are  hereby  called  to  repen- 
tance, as  thofe  that  are  under  the  highefl  obligation 
thereunto,  agreeable  to  Ezek.  xvi.63.  That  thou  mayjl 
remember  and  be  ajhamed^  and  confounded^  and  never 
open  thy  mouth  any  more  hccaufe  of  thy  fhame^  when  I 
am  pac'ficd  towards  thee  for  all  that  thou  hajl  done^ 
faith  the  Lord  God.  Every  viev;  of  every  time,  place 
and  company,  wherein  they  have  fpoken  or  done  fc- 
credy  or  openly,  thofe  things  that  were  contrary  to  the 
law  of  God,  or  whereby  they  have  been  going  about 
to  eftablifii  their  own  righteoufnefs,  in  oppohtion  to 
the  righteoufnefs  of  God,  is  ever  matter  offhame  and 
abhorrence,  and  of  admiration  of  the  grace  that  ap- 
pears in  remiffion  and  reconciliation  ;  and  the  law  of 
love,  that  the  gofpel  binds  on  Chrifl's  difciples  to  love 
one  another,  as  he  hath  loved  them,  muft  ever  open  a 
fource  of  repentance  when  their  conduft  is  counter 
thereto. 

Howunfuitable  is  it  for  Christ's  difciples  to  prac^ 
lice  upon  that  old  Pharafaick  tradition,  thou  flialt  love 
thy  neighbor^  and  hate  thine  enemy  ;  when  Jefus  recon- 
ciled them  when  they  were  enemies,  and  taught  them 
to   love  their  enemies. 

How  unfuitaljle  for  thofe  of  them  that  have  this 
Vf'orld's  goods,  and  fee  their  brethren  in  need,  to  flu'.t 

up 


9a  The  GOSPEL  of  PEACE,  Sec, 

up  their  bowels  of  compaffion  from  them,  when  Je- 
fus  (hough  he  was  rich  for  our  fakes  became  poor.,  that 
we  through  his  poverty  might  be  rich  ;  v^hohas  kindly 
told  us,  the  poor  ye  have  alvjays  with  yoii^  and  tvhtnj'o' 
ever  ye  will  ye  may  do  them  good:  Efpecially  when 
he  has  faid,  whofoever  Jh all  give  you  a  cup  oj  water ^ 
to  drink  m  my  name,  hecauje  yc  belong  to  Chnji,  verily 
I  Jay  untoyoii^  hejhall  not  lofe  hii  reward  ;  inafmuch 
as  ye  did  it  unto  one  of  the  leaji  of  thefe  my  hreihx^V'i 
ye  did  unto  me. 

How  unfuitable  to  the  above-mentioned  ground  of 
fatisfa6lion  in  the  finifhed  work  of  Christ,  is  every 
branch  of  conducl  and  converfation  unbecoming  the 
gofpeljwhen  it  lays  the  believers  of  it  under  the  moft 
indifpenfible,  eternal  obligations  to  look  upon  them- 
(elves,  their  time,  talents,  intereil  and  opportunities^ 
as  not  their  own,  but  belonging  to  their  redeemer, 
and  to  be  ever  employed  to  his  glory.  If  thele  things 
be  duly  confidered,  with  the  various  thoughts  they 
lead  to,  they  willopeu  up  reafons  for  daily  repentance 
to  the  beHevers  of  the  gofpel,  with  a  full  conviction 
they  can  have  no  confidence  in  the  flefh,  but  their 
rejoicing  muftbe  in  Christ  Jesus  alonejto  whom  be 
glory  forever. 


■mil  III  ill  il<T!4ai.<i»i»  I"  inrinrnit~Trrv'»^T>'-raiiiw»Hii  i^iW8TOqnmt«'Mii|iBgBjBMajgBg^jgt»).^yii^^ 

'XJie  Gofpel  thus  Evidenced,  preached 


^o  every  creature. 


SECTION      III, 

The  GospujL    Considered  ,  mid  the   manner  Iti 

zuhich  it  fnould  be  preached  j  luiith  an  endeav* 
pUR  to  Jhew  from  the  scriptures,  that  election 
doth  not  {.iiLiTATE  with  preaching  the  cospel  to 
EVERY  creature;  Several  other  objeiiions  con- 
Jidered, 

*'  Go  ye  therefore  intp  all  the  world,  and  preach  th^ gofpel  to  ev€-» 
xy  creature. 

Not  in  words  which  man's  wifdom  teachedi^  but  which  the  Hol]^ 
jGhod  tcacheth. 

iNot  with  wifdom  of  words,  leafl  the  c3rofs  of  Chp.ist  ftiould  be 
niade  of  noi\e  eifcLt. 

JlN  attending  to  a  fermcn,  fome  things  occur- 
red which  brought  a  palTage  in  the  epiftle  to  the  Co- 
lofliansj  to  remembrance,  '''■fay  to  Archippus,  take 
heed  to  the  miiujiry,  that  thou  hajl  received  in  the 
Lord,  that  thoujuljil  it  ;  which  produced  an  inqui- 
ry, v/hQ  ArcWppus  was ;  and  comparing  the  epiftic 
to  the  Coloffians,  with  that  to  Philemon,  it  appeared 
probable,  that  Philemon,  Epaphras  and  Archippus 
were  minifters  of  the  church  of  Christ,  gathered 
from  among  the  Cololfians,  which  then  met  in  Phi- 
lemon's houfe ;  both  epiftles  appear  to  be  wrote  and 
fent  at  the  fame  time  ;  however,  Archippus  was  a  mi- 
nifter  of  the  church  of  Christ,  who  received  his  mi- 
niftry  in  the  Lord,  and  yet  was  the  fubjetl  of  this 
exhortation  :  Kence  it  was  concluded  that  no  minif- 
ter  of  Christ  is  above  receiving  a  fimilar  exhorta- 
tion from  the  brethren. 

The  next  inquiry  was,  what  was ,  the  miniftry  be 
jeccived   in  the  Lord,  or  which   the  minifters   of 

Christ 


94     The  GOSPEL  thus  EVIDENCED,  &c. 

Christ  receive  in  the  Lord  ;  fuppofmg  they  receive 

the  fame  now, as  the  minifters  of  the  firft  churches  did? 

In  anfwer,  it  may  be  faid,  that  their  commiirion 

wajj  "  to  go  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gofpel  to 
every  creature.'^  It  is  agreed  that  the  word  gofpelj 
fignifiesgood  news,  glad  tidings  :  The  prophets  and 
apoftles  agree  herein.  The  prophet  Ifatah  faith,  "  0 
Zion  that  bringcth  good  tidings,  get  thee  up  info  the 
high  mountain  ;  0  Jerujalevi,  that  bringeth  good  tid- 
ings, lift  up  thy  voice  with  Jlrength,  lift  up,  he  net 
afraid  :  Say  to  the  cities  of  Judah,  behold  you  God. 
'Hoio  beautiful  are  the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good 
tidings,  that  publifheth  peace,  that  bringcth  good  tid- 
ings of  good  :  that  publ'Jheth  falvation  %  that  faith  un- 
to Zion,  thy  God  r eigne th."  And  fimilar  is  the  word 
which  God  fent  to  the  children  of  Ifraeh,  with  which 
Peter  was  fent  to  the  Gentiles,  ^'^  preaching  peace,  by 
Jesus  Christ,  he  is  Lord  of  all," 

The  fcriptures  do  not  leave  us  at  alofs,  refpecling 
thefe  glad  tidings,  '•'' for  the  fcriptures  forefeeing  that 
God  would  jvfii^y  the  heathen*  through  faith,  preach- 
ed before  the  gofpel  unto  Abraham,  faying,  in  thy  feed, 
Jli all  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  he  bleffcd  i'  the  fame 
gofpel  is  repeated  to  Ifaac,  and  confirmed  to  Jacobs 
and  is  proclaimed  from  the  top  of  Jacob's  ladder, 
where  the  Lord  flood  above  it,  and  faid,  '•  /  am  the 
God  of  Abraham,  thy  father,  and  the  God  of  Ifaac  ;" 
this  was  alfo  fhown  to  Mnfes  at  the  bufli,  and  when 
he  was  fent  to  the  children  o{  Jfrael,  he  was  direfted 
to  fay  unto  them,  "  /  am  the  God  of  Abraham,  the 
God  of  Ifaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob  ;  this  is  my 
name  forever,  and  my  r/iemcrial  unto  all  generations.'* 
It  is  my  unchangeable  name,  the  unchangable  name; 
of  the  unchangeable  God;  infuring  bleffednefs  in 
Christ  Jesus, to  all  the  nations,  kindreds,  and  fa- 
milies 

*  Theheathcn  that  had  no  claim  as  bein?:  of  the  flock  of  Ifraq 
that  had  no  worthinefsj  nothing  to  recommend  them. 


TriK  GOSPEL  THUS  EV^IDENCED,  &c.    95 

niiliesof  the  earth.  And  a  believer  of  this  gofpel 
preached  to  Abraham,  enters  into  reft  ;  although  he 
is  in  himfelf  a  poor,  lott,  wretched,  miferable  (inner, 
and  iinderftanding  himfelf  blefied  in  Christ  Jesus, 
can  rejoice  in  him,  though  he  hath  "  no  confidence 
in  the  flefli." 

The  prophet  Jfaiah  fpeaking  of  the  Gentiles,  in  his 
54th  chapter,  fays  to  them,  ^^Jear  not,  for  thoujhall 
not  be  ajliamed,  neither  be  thou  confounded,  for  thoit, 
JJiall  net  be  put  to  fliame,  for  thou  Jlioll  forget  the 
Jhame  of  "thy  youth,  and  Jhall  not  remember  the  re- 
proach of  thy  widowhood  any  more  :   For  thy  maker  is 
thy  hifband,  and  thy  Redeemer  the  Holy  One  of  Ifraely 
the  God  of  the  whole  earth  fhall  he  be  called.'*     The 
prophet   Jeremiah,  in  his  3d  cahapter,  fpeaking  of 
Judah  and  Ifrael,  faith,  "  turn   0    backfliding  chil- 
dren, faith  the  Lord,  for   I  am  married  unto  you'* 
And  the  prophet  Ifaiah,  appears  to  be  fpeaking  both 
of  Jews  and   Gentiles,  when  he  fays,  "  as  the  bride- 
groom rejoiceth  over  the  bride,  fo  Jliall  thy  God  re- 
joice over  thee" 

If  the  nations,  kindreds  and  families  of  the  earth 
are  bleffed  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  both  Jews  and 
Gentiles  acknowledged  as  married  unto  him,  tlien  he 
is  "  the  God  of  the  whole  cardi." 

Again,  the  whole  earth  are  repeatedly  called  to 
fing  a  new  fong  unto  the  Lord,  as  we  fee  in  Pfalm^ 
96,  1,  Qf^,\,  Ifaiah  A^i,  10,  11.  This  new  fong  is  de- 
fcribed,  Rev.  5.  9.  "  thou  art  worthy,  for  thou  wajl 
flairi  and  hafl  redeemed  us  to  God,  hy  the  blood,  out  of 
every  nation,  and  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people  :" 
If  all  the  earth  are  called  to  fing  this  new  fong,  fure- 
ly  allthe  car-th  are  interefted  in  the  fubje£l  matter 
of  it. 

Again,  the  mofl:  oppofed  to  the  falvation  of  the 
gofpel,  and  the  preaching  of  it,  are  the  fubjeQs  of 
prayer.     The    Pfalmift,  fpeaking   in  the  perfon   of 

Christj 


gS    The  GOSPEL  thus  EVid£NCED,  Set 

Christ,  in  the  42d  Pfalm,  where  he  complains  of 
his  reproachers,  faying,"  my  tears  have  been  my  Tneat^ 
(Jtdy  and  nighi^  while  ihcy  continually  fay  unio  me,  whtte 
is  thy  God  F"  And  adds,  "  mhen  I  remember  thefe,  I 
pour  out  riiyfoul  in  me.''  This  v^e  fee  verified  when 
they  faid,  "  he  triifted  in  God,  let  him  dehver  him, 
if  he  ivill  have  him  ;"  and  hear  Jesus  Christ  pour 
out  his  foul  in  him,  in  that  prayer  "  Father  forgive 
them  for  they  know  not  what  tlievt  do  ;"  he  alfo  direfts 
his  difciples  "  to  love  their  encin'-es,^  dnd pra.y  for  them 
that  defpitefully  vfe  them."  Did  he  direB.  them  to 
love  thofe  whom  he  did  not ;  did  he  not  die  that  hii) 
(enemies  might  be  reconciled  by  his  death  ;  was  not 
he  always  heard,  and  did  he  bid  his  difciples  pray 
for  what  fhould  not  be  granted  ? 

Then  furely  the  gofpel  alfo  is  to  be  preached  to 
them,  and  this  good  news  is  to  be  publifhed  as  a  truth 
among  fuch  charaElers, "  That  God  was  in  Chrifl 
reconciling  the  world  v.nto  himfelf,  not  imputing  their 
trefpajfes  unto  them  ;"  agreeable  to  the  prophet  Ifaiahj 
"  /  have  blotted  out  thy  tranfgrejfions  as  a  cloud,  and 
thine  iniquities  as  a  thick  cloud,  return  unto  me  for  t 
have  redeemed  thee.''' 

Defigned  brevity,  forbids  the  taking  notice  of  ma- 
ny confiderations  that  offer  themfelves,  to  prove  and 
illuftrate  this  truth,  that  Christ's  minifters,  commif- 
fion  is,  '*  To  preach  the  gofpel  to  every  creature." 
Two  or  three  things  offer  themfelves  as  inquiries  or 
objeftions,  as 

ift.  If  the  nations  are  bleffed  in  Christ  Jesus, 
both  Jews  and  Gentiles,  fo  that  they  are  married  un- 
to him,  and  he  is  the  God  of  the  whole  earth,  whence 
is  it  fuch  a  place  of  fin  and  mifery  r 

It  may  be  faid,  if  the  woman  interefted  in  the  ef- 
tate  and  honours  of  her  hufband,  treacheroufly  depart 
from  him,  every  ftep  of  her  way,  muft  be  going  fur- 
ther into  the  fink  of  fm  and  mifery. 

That 


The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  Sec,    gj 

That  this  was  the  cafe  with  ancient  Ifrael,  is  plain 
from  Jeremiah,  iii.  20.  "  Surely  as  a  wife  treacherouf- 
fy  departs  from  her  ku/band,fo  have  you  dealt  trcache^ 
roufly  iQith  mc^  0  houfe  of  Ifraely'  which  will  be  evi- 
dent to  any  one  that  reads  the  beginning  of  the  chap- 
ter, to  the  12  verfe,  and  Ezekiel,  xvi.  32,  45 — and  as 
this  was  the  caufeofthe  diftrefs  and  mifery,  that  be- 
fel  ancient  Ifrael,  foit  is  thecaufe  of  all  the  calamities 
that  befal  us  all,  in  copying  after  their  wretched  ex- 
ample. Certainly  there  is  no  want  of  blefiednefs  in 
Christ  Jesus  ;  no  want  of  power,  riches,  loving 
kindnefs,  and  mercy,  in  our  Maker,  our  hufband,  the 
God  of  the  whole  earth  ;  but  all  our  unhappinefs 
arifes  from  our  alienation  from  him,  and  the  further 
We  perfue  that  path,  the  greater  our  mifery  and  ca- 
lamity, whether  we  know  the  caufe  or  not. 

Now  if  the  hufband  of  the  treache roufly  departing 
wife,  own  her  to  be  his  wife,  call  after  her  to  return, 
is  willing  and  ready  to  receive  her  on  her  return, 
without  upbraiding  her,  fhe  is  certainly  blefled  in  a 
hufband  *  though  Ihe  forfakes  her  own  mercies  for 

lying 

*  The  gofpel,  the  Apoflles  preadied  was, '  that  God  was  in 
Christ,'  reconciling  the  woild  unto  himfelf,  not  imputing  their  tref- 
pafles  unto  them,  i  Corinthians,  v.  19.  Agreeable  to  the  gofpel 
preached  to  Abraham,  that  '  in  thy  feed  fhall  all  the  nations  of  xhc 
edrth  be  bleffed,'  Galations  iii.  8,  16.  The  Pfalmift  faith,  '  men  (hall 
be  blefled  in  him,'  Pfalm  Ixxii.  17.  The  prophet  faith,  '  the  nations 
Ihall  blefs  themfelves  in  him,  and  in  him  (hall  they  glory,'  Jeremiah, 
iv.  2.  By  the  Apoftle  we  are  faid  to  be  '  chofen  in  him*  Ephefians 
i.  4.  '  To  be  jultified  in  him,'  i  Corinthians,  vi.  11.  '  To  be  gather- 
ed together  in  him,'  Ephedans  i.  10.  '  To  be  rooted  and  built  up  in 
him,'  Cololfians,  ii.  7.  '  To  be  fanclified  !n  Christ  Jesus,' i  Co- 
rinthians, i.  2.  'To  be  blefled  with  all  fpiritual  bleflings  in  Christ 
Jesus,' Ephefians,  i.  3.  '  To^be  made  to  lit  together  in  heavenly 
places, /;7  Christ  Jesu?,'  Ephefians,  ii.  6.  'All  the  promifes  o'f 
God  are  in  him,  yea,  in  him,  Amen,'  2  Corinthians  i.  30.  '  And  yea 
are  complete  in  hiin,'  Cololfians,  ii.  10.  '  And  we  are  in  him,  that  is 
true/w  his  fon  Jesus  Christ,'  i  Jchn,  v.  20.  Being  blefled  in  him, 
denotes  union  as  members  to  their  head,  '  all  men  being  drawn  to  him 
wlien  lie  was  lifted  up  ;  and  fo  one  dying  for  all,  all  died  ;  he  taftin* 
death  for  every  mutt.'  Therefore  this  gofpel  preached  to  Abraham, 
and  preached  by  the  Apoftles  is  to  be  preached  to  thofe  that  aie  the 
moft  remote  trom  bleifednefs  io  themlelvcs,  and  when  it  is  believed 
they  are  led  to  rejoice  in  Christ  Jesus,  though  altogether  deftitnte 
in  themfelves,  unbelief  and  alienation,  being  the  lource  of  all  our 
mifery,  believing  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jisu:,  we  fee  our  bltfTedncfs 
in  him.  N 


^8    The  GOSPEL  thus  EVIDENCED,  &c. 

lying  vanities,  and  is  moft  forlorn  and  rpiferable  in 
hedelf,  while  perfifling  in  her  alienation. 

I  need  only  repeat  two  pafTages  of  fcripture?  to 
lead  our  minds  from  the  (imilitude  juft  mentioned  up 
to  divine  mercy.  Jererajah,  iii.  i.  "  But  thou  hajl 
j^layed  the  harlot  many  lovers, yet  return  unto  me^ faith 
the  Lord^  verfe  12,  return  thou  hackjliding  Ifraelf 
faith  the  Lord,*  I  will  not  caufe  mine  anger  to  fall  up- 
on you.  Ifaiah  xlii.  22  j  /  have  blotted  out  as  a  thick 
cloud  thy  tranfgreffions,  and  as  a  cloud  thy  fins  :  re- 
turn unto  me,  for  I  have  redeemed  thee.'  Thus  Gof- 
pel  Minifters  have  the  teflimony  of  God,  by  his  Pro- 
phets, as  well  as  the  commifiion  given  tq  the  Appf* 
ties,  "  to  preach  the  Gofpel  to  every  creature^' 

'2dly.  It  may  be  inquired,  are  not  minifters  to 
preach  the  law  .?  Anfwer,  "  by  ihe  law  is  the  know- 
ledge of  fin,  for  what  things  the  law  faith,  it  faith  to 
them  that  are  under  the  law,  that  every  mouth  may  he 
flopped,  and  all  the  world  may  become,  guilty  before 
God,  having  no  hope' but  in  the  righieoufnefs  of  God 
by  faith  of  Jesvs  Christ,  revealed  in  the  Gofpel." — ^ 
The  direftion  therefore,  is  "  to  preach  the  Gofpel  to 
every  creature.'' 

•  Tliere  were  fome  in  the  Apoftles'  day,  that  defired 
to  be  teachers  of  the  law,  underftanding  neither 
what  they  fay,  nor  whereof  they  affirm.  The  Apof- 
tle  fays,  "  the  law  was  our fchool-mafler  unto,  or  until 
Christ,"  (to  bring  us,  is  lupplied  by  the  tranflators) 
"  that  we  may  bejuflifed  by  faith  ;  but  when  faith  is 
come,  we  are'nolongtr  under  a  fchool-mafler."  When 
^  faith  is  come,  that  is  when  Christ  is  come,  who  is 
the  obj  eft  of  faith,  and  hath  fent  forth  his  fervants 
to  preach  the  Gofpel,  which  is  called  the  hearing  of 
faith:  "  Received  ye  thefpirit  by  the  works  of  the  law,'' 
or  by  the  hearing  of  faith  ?  That  is  by  the  hearing 
of  the  Gofpel  preached."  ObjeQion. 

.•  It  is  not  return  and  I  will  not  caufe  mine  anger  to  fall  upon  you 
as  a  c6ndition  ;■  the  and  is  fupplied  by  the  tranHators,  it  is,  return,  I 
will  not  eaufe  mine  anger  to  fall  upon  you. 


The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  &c.     99 

Objection.  But  doth  not  the  fcripture  fay,  ^^cuj-f- 
ed  is  every  one  that  cdniimieth  not  in  all  things  written 
in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them  ?" 

'  Aniwer.  Yes,  this  is  the  language  of  the  law,  but 
the  language  of  the  gofpel,  is,  "  Chriji  hath  deliver- 
ed us  from  the  curfe  of  the  law^  being  made  a  curfe'for 
us,"  and  Christ's  miniftcrs  are  to  fJreachthe  gofpel; 
perhaps  fome  one  will  fay,  they  are  to  preach  it  to 
the  prepared  fubjeds  that  are  awakened  by  the  ter- 
rors of  the  law,  to  feek  falvation  by  Christ  Jesus; 
They  are  to  preach  it  to  every  creature,  to  tell  every 
creature  "  Chrifl  hath  delivered  us  from  the  curfe  of 
the  law,  being  madx  a  curfe  for  us^  To  tell  it  as  a 
truth  J  what  !  to  unbelievers  ?  Yes,' to  .unbelievers  ; 
what  conllitutes  a  inan  an  unbeliever,  Hut  not  belie- 
ving the  report  of  the  gofpel.  He  that  believeth 
this  truth  is  faved  from  the  tormenting  fear  of  the 
curfe  of  the  law,  believing  the  report  of  the  gofpel  ; 
while  he  that  doth  not  believe  this  truth,  remains  un- 
der felf  condemnation  or  damnation,  being  in  hiis  own 
ippreherifion  under  the  law,  and  under  the  curfe  : 
Man  is  denominated  an  unbeliever  as  not  believing 
the  truth. 

If  Christ's  minifters  witli  to  help  unbelievers,  let 
them  keep  clofe  to  their  diredion,  tell  the  truth  that 
is  to  be  believed  :  Let  them  preach  the  "  miniflryof 
reconciliation,  that  God  was  in  Christ  reconciling 
the  world  unto  himftlf,  not  imputing  unto  them  their 
trefpafjes  :  That  he  hath  made  him  fm  for  us,  who. 
knew  no  fin,  that  we  might  be  made  the  righteoufnefs 
of  God  in  him,"  and  fet  forth  the  evidences  of  it  in 
the  refurreftion  of  Jesus  Ch'rist,  from  the  dead, 
that  if  God  pleafe  to  accompany  the  evidence  to  their 
minds,  they  may  believe. 

Earnell  repeated  exhortations  to  believe,  are  loft',' 
only  tending  to  confufe  the  mind  that  underflands 
not  what  is  to  be  believed,  but  when  the   truth  to  be 

believed 


100    The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  &c, 

believed,  is  underftood,  and  the  evidences  appears 
undeniable,  it  gains  credit  in  the  mind,  and  what  wc 
give  full  credit  to  is  believed  ;  tlicrefore  let  the  gof- 
pel  be  preached  to  every  creatui-e,  tell  the  good  news 
even  to  unbelievers,  for  "  it  is  glad  tidings  of  great 
joy  to  all  people,  tidings  of  a  Saviour,  which  is 
Christ  the  Lord." 

gdly.  Doth  not  the  doBrine  of  ele8:ion,  militate 
•with  the  gofpel's  being  preached  to  every  creature  ? 
If  theeleQ;  are  only  to  obtain  falvation  to  the  rejec- 
tion or  reprobation  of  all  others,  how  is  it  poflTible  to 
preach  the  gofpel  to  every  creature  ? 

For  anfwer,  it  may  be  faid,  that  this  conne6ling  of 
final  reje6tion  or  reprobation  with  the  doclrine  of 
eleftion,  has  no  foundation  in  the  fcriptures.  Elec- 
tion among  men,  choofes  men  to  certain  offices  for 
the  benefit  of  thofe  that  are  not  ele£led  ;  and  if  we 
confider  ele8;ionin  the  fenfe  of  the  fcriptures,  it  will 
appear  that  it  is  defigned  for  the  benefit  of  others.  If 
we  turn  our  attention,  firft  to  Jesus  Christ,  it  will 
lead  our  minds  to  Ifaiah  xlii.  i,  ufliered  in  with  a  note 
of  attention,  "behold  !  behold  my  Jtrvant  whom  I  up- 
hold^ mine  eU6l  in  whom  my  foul  deligliteth"  why 
is  Jesus  Christ  called  God's  eleft,  fee  verfes, 
6,  7,  "  /  the  Lord  have  called  thee  in  righte^ 
oufnefs^  and  will  hold  thine  hand.,  and  will  keep 
thee  and  give  thee  for  a  covenant  of  the  people^  for 
a  light  of  the  Gentiles^  to  open  the  blind  eyes.,  to  bring 
out  the  prifonersfrom  the  prifon^  and  them  that  Jit  in 
darknefs  cut  of  the  prifon-houfe." 

Queftion.  But  is  it  not  faid  in  the  fame  prophefy, 
that  he  fhall  be  a  ^'Jlofie  ofjlumbling  and  rock  of  of 
fence  to  both  houfes  of  Jfrael ;"  and  Peter  "  fpeaks  of 
him  <zs  a  flone  of  Jiumbling  and  rock  of  offence^  to 
them  thatjlu/mble  at  the  word^  being df obedient,  where- 
iinto  they  were  appointed''  Surely,  Peter  doth  not 
intend  to  militate  with  the  doftrine  of  "  the  rejlitu- 

lion 


The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  Sec.  loi 

tution  of  all  things^  fpoken  of  hy  the  mouth  of  all  God's 
holy  prophets  fince  the  world  hcgan^"  their  thus  tum- 
bling, is  to  fulfil  the  purpofe  of  God,  who  hath  con- 
cluded them  all  in  unbelief  that  he  may  have  mercy 
on  all,  and  thus  open  the  blind  eyes,  and  brinj^  the 
prifoners  from  the  prifon  and  thofe  that  fit  in  dark- 
nefs,  out  of  the  prifon-houfe."  Agreeable  to  the  pro- 
phefy  of  Simeo?i,  in  his  addrefs  to  Mary,  "  behold  this 
child  isfetfor  the  fall  and  rifing  again  of  many  m  If' a' 
el,  and  for  afign  that  fiall  be  fpoken  agamji"  The 
apoflles  were  chofen  witneffes  of  the  refurreQion  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  fent  to  the  Jews  ;  the  70  dif- 
ciples  were  chofen  after,  and  fent  to  the  Gentiles,  to 
every  place  whether  he  himfelf  ihould  come.  "  The 
apollles  were  chofen  to  be  Christ's  witnefTes,"  chofen 
to  this  end,  to  go  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gof 
pel  to  every  creature  ;"  Jesus  Christ  tells  them,  "^ff 
are  the  lights  of  the  world  f  lights  are  to  guide  tra- 
vellers in  tlie  way  :  for  this  end,  the  70  were  chofen 
and  fent  forth.  'Tis  exprefsly  faid  of  Paul,  ''he  is  a 
chofen  veffel  unto  me,  to  bear  my  name  before  gentiles 
and  kings  ;  and  the  children  of  Ifrael ;'  and  this' 
chofen  vefl'el  was  fent  unto  the  gentiles,  to  open  their 
eyes  and  to  turn  them  from  darknefs  to  light,  and  from 
the  power  of  fatan  unto  God." 

Which  evidences  that  their  ele£lion  was  for  the 
benefit  of  others.  Even  in  the  xi  of  Romans,  where 
the  apoftle  fpcaking  of  the  Ifraelites,  fays,  "  the  elec- 
tion hath  obtained,  and  the  refl  were  blinded,"  and 
fpeaking  of  the  Humbling  of  the  blinded,  faith,  "  have 
they  Jiumb  led,  that  they  might  fall;  God  forbid  !  and 
fhews  it  was  to  bring  about  the  purpofcs  of  God,  re- 
fpefting  the  gentiles,  which  being  accomplifhed,"  all 
Ifrael  fliall  befaved  as  it  is  written  f  and  fpeaking  of 
thefe  ilumbling  Jews,  he  faith,  "  as  concerning  the 
gofpel,  they  arc  enemies  for  your  fakes,  but  as  touch- 
ing the  eleftion,  they  arc  beloved  for  the  father's  fakes 

for 


1-02    The   gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  &c. 

for  the  gifts  and  caliing  of  God  are  without  reperi- 
tance  ^''Jkeius  ihem,  "  concluded  m  unbelief,  thai  God 
may  have  mercy  on  all" 

So  when  the  apoftle,  to  the  Ephejian&,  fpeaks  of 
their  being  predeftinated  to  the  adoption  of  children 
by  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  the  good  pleafure  of 
his  will,  to  the  praife  of  his  glory,  he  fliews  the  divine 
defign  herein,  that  in  the  difpenfation  of  the  fulnefs 
of  time,  he  might  gather  together  in  one,  all  things  in 
Christ,  both  which  are  in  Heaven  and  on  earth  in 
him.* 

It  is  faid  by  the  apoftle  James^  "  of  hii  own  will 
heg'at  he  us,  by  the  word  of  truth  that  we  might  be  a 
kind  of  firfi fruits  of  his  creatures  ;"now  the  firft  fruits 
are  not  the  whole  harveft,  only  an  earneft  of  it,  as  we 
fee  by  "  the  hundred  forty  aud  four  thoufand,  that 
are  fealed  in  the  Revelations,  and  ftand  with  the  Lamb 
on  the  mount  Zion,  with  the  harps  of  God  ;"  thefe 
firft  fruits  are  the  "  eleB.  redeemed  from  among  men, 
that  follow  the  lamb,  whetherfoever  he  goeth. 

Now  it  is  obfervableboth  in  the  7th  and  14th  chap- 
ters, that  the  fealed,  the  firft  fruits,  or  the  eleft,  were 
not  the  whole  of  the  faved,  for  the  hundred  forty- 
four  thoufand  fealed,  being  mentioned,  we  read  in  the 

9th 

*  The  view  that  has  been  taken  of  eledlion,  being  for  the  beneht  of 
others,  and  not  for  their  deftruiSlion,  might  be  illuftrated  from  the  old 
tefiament  fcriptures.  "When  it  pleafed  God  to  felefl  Abraham  frOm 
anion^  thofe  that  ferved  other  gods,  and  blefs  him,  others  were  not 
exckioed,  for  his  blefling  fhines  mofl:  ilhiftrioufly  in  that  part  of  it  thus 
exprelTed,  in  thy  feed  fhall  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be  bleflfed.  The 
choice  of  Mofes  and  Aaron,  the  Levites,  the  70  Elders  and  the  12 
princes,  wCiC  all  for  the  benefit  of  all  Ifrael,  and  the  bleflings  they  en- 
joyed were  conveyed  to  them,  through  the  faithful  attention  o?  thofe 
various  charafters  and  officers,  to  their  appointments,  by  whom  they- 
were  led  forward  to  the  typical  reft,  or  land  of  Canaan.  So  are  God's 
eleit  under  the  gofpel  difpenfation,  chofen  as  inltruments,  in  their 
places,  to  bring  to  view  from  the  fcriptures,  the  glad  tidings  of  the 
gofpel,  fhewing  Jefus  as  the  way  to  the  heavenly  Canaan,  the  reft  that 
remains  to  the  people  of  God,  where  the  leaves  of  the  tree  of  IjLfe  fhall 
heal  the  nations,  and  there  ftiall  be  no  more  curie,  but  the  throne  of 
God  and  the  Lamb,  ftiall  be  in  it,  and  his  fervants  fliall  ferve  him,  and 
they  fliall  lee  his  face  agreeable  to  the  prayer  of  Jefus  Chrift,  John, 
xvii.  24,  "  father,  I  will,  that  they  alfo  whom  thou  haft  given  me,  be 
with  me  where  I  am  ;  that  they  may  behold  my  glory. 


The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  &c.   103 

gih  verfe,  '•'•a-fttr  this  Ihehdd^,  and'  lo  a  great  mulii- 
t^Lide  which  no  yyian  could  number^  of  all  nations  and 
kindreds^  and  people^  and  tongues,  flood  before  the 
Throne,  and  before  the  Lamb^cloathed  with  white  robes,, 
and  p dims  in  their  hands,  and  cried,  falvadion  to  our 
God,  a7id  to  the  Lamb. 

This  was   fo   wonderful,  to  fee  this  innumerable 
multitude,  befide  the  fealed,  the  ele6l,  the  firft  fruits, 
that  the  inquiry  is,  what  are  thefe,  and  whence  come 
they  ?  The  anfwer  is,  "  thcfe  are   they  that  come  out 
of  great  tribulation,  and  have  wajlied  their  robes,  and 
made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,"  therefore 
are  they  before  the  throne,  &c.     Thefe  are  they  that 
came  out  of  great  tribulation  :  What  greater   tribu- 
lation can  we  fuppofe,  can  befal  the  children  of  men, 
than  what  arifcs  from  an  apprehenfion  of  a  poGibility 
of  being  reprobated  to  eternal  damnation  ?  And  be-, 
ing  on  this  account,  all  their  lifetime  fubjeft  to  bon- 
dage through  fear  or  death  ;  for  fuch  to  findthemfelves- 
before  the  throne,  in  virtue  of  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
no  wonder  they  cry  with  a  loud  voice,  falvation,  &:c. 
no  wonder  they  feel  their  obligations  to   ferve  him', 
day  and  night  in  his  temple,  "  having  him  that  fit*; 
teth  on  the  throne,  to   dwell  among,  them,  delivered) 
from  hungering  or  thirlling   any   more,  and  having: 
God  to  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes.''     If  we 
look  into.  the.  14th  capter,  after  the  defcription  of  the 
hundred  forty-four  thoufand,  llaiiding  with  tlie  Lamb, 
on  the  mgiunj::  Zion,with  the.harps  of  God,  and; (mg^. 
ing  the  new;  fong,  we  find,   verfe  6,  another   angel.' 
"//)/  m.the.midjl  of  Heaven^   hamng-  the  everlajiingi 
gJlfpel  to.  preach  wito  them-sthat  dwell  in.tke^earthy^* 
even  to   cveiy  nation,  tongue j  and  people  "  Thus>l> 
think  if  the  doClrine  of  election  were  fighdy  under* 
ftood,  it  can  be  no  objedionto  preaching  the  gofpel 
to  every  creature. 

The 


104  The  GOSPEL  thus  EVIDENCED,  &e. 

The  Apoftle  Paul  gives  the  fum  of  the  gofpet 
V'hich  he  preached  in  the  beginning  of  the  15th 
chapter  of  the  firft  epiftle  to  the  Corinthians^  con- 
tained in  the  death  and  refurreclion  of  Christ  with 
the  evidences  of  it,  and  fpeaking  of  the  other  Apof- 
tles,  he  faith,  verfe  11,  "  whether  I  or  they,  Jo  zve 
preach  and  Jo  ye  believed. 

Not  fo.  we  preached,  but  fo  we  preach,  they  con- 
tinue to  preach  the  fame  doftrine,  in  their  writings 
handed  down  to  us,  and  bleffed  be  God,  we  have 
the  fulfilment  of  that  prophecy,  (in  that  v/e  have  the 
free  ufe  of  the  fcriptures  of  truth)  recorded  in  Ijaiah 
XXX,  20,  ^^ yet  Jliall  not  thy  teachers  be  driven  in- 
io  a  corner  any  more^  but  thine  eyes  /hall  Jee  thy 
teachers,  and  thine  earJJiail  hear  a  word  behind  thee, 
Jaying  this  is  the  way  ;"  the  gofpel  always  finds  us 
with  our  backs  to  it,  purfuing  another  way,  and 
points  out  the  way  into  which  we  are  to  return,  is 
not  this  turning,  repentance  unto  life  ?  Is  not  the 
preaching  the  gofpel,  included  in  Paul's  exhortation 
to  Timothy,  ^'■my  Jon  be  Jlrong  in  the  grace,  that  is 
in  Chrijl  Jejus  ;"  the  fame  Apoftle  tells  us  what 
this  grace  is,  ^' ye  know  the  grace  oj  our  Lord  Jfjus 
Chrijl,  who,  though  he  was  rich  J  or  our  Jakes,  became 
poor,  that  we  through  his  poverty  might  be  rich  ;  this 
is  the  grace  made  manifelt  in  the  gofpel,  the  tidings 
of  it  are  to  be  told  to  every  creature ;  this  ist-he  grace 
whereby  we  ferve  God  acceptably,  which  our  Apot 
tie  exhorts  toholdfaft,  we  receiving  a  kingdom  which 
cannot  be  moved ;  we  read  it,  let  us  have  grace, 
but  the  margin  reads  it  agreeable  to  the  original, 
"  let  us  hold  faft  the  grace  whereby  we  may  ferve 
God  acceptably  with  reverence  and  godly  fear,"  for 
our  God  is  a  confuming  fire  ;  every  thing  in  the 
fervice  of  God,  that  hath  not  refpeft  to  the  grace 
that  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  is  wood,  hay,  ftubble,  and 
xnuft  be  burnt  up. 

The 


The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  ^c.     105 

The  apodlc  Peter  drawing  to  a  clofe  in  his  firfl: 
Epiftle,  Ipcaking  of  what  he  had  been  writing,  fays, 
«  /  have  written  briejly^  exhorting  and  tejlifying  thai 
this  is  the  true  grace  of  God,  wherein  ye  Jlarid  ;"  if  we 
look  back  into  the  Epiftle,  we  find  him  writing  of 
the  grace,  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  his  ownfelf 
bear  oiir  fins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree, for  Christ 
hath  once  faffered  the  juft  for  the  unjuft,  that  he 
might  bring  us  to  God,  by  whofe  ftripes  ye  were 
healed.  Much  hath  been  faid  aboiit  marks  and  evi- 
dences of  true  grace,  in  the  hearts  of  men  ;  but  the 
voice  behind  us,  reminds  us  of  the  true  grace  of 
God,  and  the  evidences  of  it  manifefted  in  Christ 
Jesus,  this  is  the  gi-ace,  the  Apoftle  exhorts  the  He- 
brews to  look  diligently,  lead  they  fall  from,  we  read 
it  "  looking  diligently,  leafl  any  man  fail  of  the  grace 
of  God,"  but  according  to  the'  margin,  agreeable  to 
the  original,  it  is,  leaft  any  man  fall  from  the  grace 
of  God.  From  the  grace  of  God  to  the  grace  of 
man;  from  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  by 
which  alone,  we  are  accepted  to  grace,  in  our  own 
hearts,  which  cannot  procure  our  acceptance  with 
God  :  Can  any  one  in  the  exercii'e  of  reverence  and 
godly  fear,  approach  the  divine  prefence,  in  his  own 
name,  making  mention  of  the  grace,  that  is  in  his 
own  heart,  as  that  whereby  he  may  fcrve  God  accep- 
tably, it  brings  to  mind,  Ifaiah,xxvii.  4.  "  Who  would 
Jet  the  briers  and  thorns  againjl  me  in  battle,  I  would 
go  through  them,  I  would  burn  the^n  together,  or  let 
him  take  hold  of  my  Jlrength,  he  may  make  peace  with 
me^  heJJiall  make  peace  with  me  f  peace  is  preached 
by  Jesus  Christ. 

The  fcriptures  tcftify  of  Chrifl,  both  in  the  law  of 
Mofes,  the  Prophets,  and  the  Pfalms  :  The  great  er- 
ror of  many  preachers,  has  centered  in  their  appre- 
henfion,  that  the  fcriptures  teftificd  of  good  men, 
and  in  proportion  as  this  error  has  prevailed,  we 
O  have 


io5  The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  &c. 

have  heard  of  the  virtue  and  piety  of  Abraham, 
David,  the  Prophets,  and  other  pious  men,  whom  we 
have  been  excited  to  follow,  in  hope  of  divine  favor, 
if  we  could  come  to  their  attainments  ;  but  the  light 
difcovers  this  to  be  a  fpecies  of  idolatry,  putting  the 
Creature  in  the  place  of  Jesus  Christ,  or  at  leaft 
between  us  and  him,  while  the  gofpel  calls  us  "  to 
hehold  iheiamh  of  God,  that  taketh  away  the  fin  of 
the  wortd."  The  light  difcovering  this  error,  in  the 
place  of  it,  there  has  crept  in,  perhaps  a  more  undif- 
cernable  one,  when  preachers  have  been  led  to  fpeak 
excellently  of  the  charafter  and  finiflied.  work  of 
Christ,  they  have  known  fomething  elfe  befides 
Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified,  having  a  great 
part  of  their  difcourfes,  taken  up  about  the  excellen- 
cy of  believers,  their  experiences,  attainments,  devo- 
tions in  their  clofcts  and  families,  and  at  public  wor- 
Ihip,  and  in  their  coTidu61  in  moral  civil  life,  to  the 
flattering  of  their  pride  and  importance,  caufing  them 
to  conceive  themfelves  the  chief  of  faints,  to  the 
abaTement  of  thofe  that  have  not  thefe  attainments. 
But  let  it  be  confidered  whether  it  would  not  be  more 
jcdvantageCus  to  the  believers  of  the  gofpel,  as  well 
as  nearer  their  pattern,  if  they  were  put  in  mind  of 
the  various  apoftolic  exhortations  to  them,  and  put 
upon  inquiring  hov;  much  caufe  they  have  for  fhame 
and  humiliation,  that  thefe  exhortations  have  fo"  lit- 
tle influence  on  their  mjnds  and  conduft,  which  if 
attended  to  with  fobriety  of  mind,  would  tend  to  ex- 
cite them,  to  take  rank  with  the  chief  of  fmners,  and 
to  glorify  God,  for  mercy,  upon  a  level  with  the  vi- 
left.  Such  preachers  as  are  above  defcribed,  draw 
the  minds  cf  their  hearers  from  the  one  objeft,  hav- 
ing two  to  prefent  before  them ;  whereas  the  Prophet 
Ifaiah,  propofes  one  objeft,  "  The  glory  of  the  Lord 
fhallbe  revealed,  and  all  flepifhall  fee  together.  Look 
unto  me  and  befaved^  all  the  ends  of  the  earth.''    John 

fays, 


The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  Sec.  107 

fays,  "  Behold  the  Lamb  nf  God  that  taketh  away  the 
Jin  0/ the  world -j"  diud  P^ul  determins  ^o  know  nO' 
thing  among  them^fave  Jefns  Chrijl  and  him  cruci- 
fied. Let  Peter  clofe  with  his  teftjniony  of  Christ, 
as  recorded  in  his  jft  Epiflle,  2d  chapter,  24  verfe, 
*«  Who  his  ownfclf,  bear  our  fins  in  his  own  body  on 
the  tree,  that  we  being  dead  to  Jin,  might  live  to  righ- 
teoiifnejs,  by  whofifiripes  ye  were  healed.'' 

Should  the  mind  of  any,  fuggeft  the  old  objeflion, 
to  preaching  the  gofpel  to  every  creature,  that  was 
brought  in  the  apoftle's  days  and  is  kept  up,  down  to 
our  day,  that  it  endangers  morality,  and  will  excite 
to  continue  in  fin,  that  grace  may  abound. 

It  may  be  anfwercd,  that  the  morality  of  the  gof- 
pel is  founded  on  divine  love,  both  by  Jesus  Christ 
and  his  apoftles  ;  when  Jesus  Christ  gave  the  gold- 
en rule,  as  it  is  defervedly  called,  it  was  founded  on 
the  love  of  Gqd,  fet  forth  in  a  mofl;  ftriking  figure, 
"  what  man  is  there  oj you,  who  ifi  his/on  afii  bready 
"will  he  give  him  afione  ?"  Is  there  fuch  a  man  among 
you  that  are  evil,  prone  tp  cqvetoufnefs,  anger  and 
various  other  evils  ?  Is  there  one  among  you,  who,  if 
his  fon  afk  bread,  will  he  give  him  a  Hone,  and  thus 
mock  his  hunger  ?•  What  heart,  among  you  that  are 
evil,  can  do  this  ?  Ifi  ye  then  being  evil,  know  how  to 
give  good  gifits  to  your  children,  how  much  morcfiiall 
yourfiather  who  is  in  Heaven,  give  good  things  to  them 
that  afk  him  ?  Therefiore  all  things  whatfoever  ye. 
Wi^uld,  thatmen  Jhould  do  to  you, do  ye  even  [0  tothfm  ; 
you  never  nced^defraud  or  over-reach  one  another, 
to  obtain  any  good  you  may  think  you  want,  becauie 
yourheavenly  father  is  more  re?idy  to  give  good  thing? 
to  them  that  afk  him,  than  the  beft  of  you  are  to  give 
bread  to  your  children,  let  his  love  conftrain  you  in 
all  things,  to  do  one  to  another,  as  ye  would  th^y 
fhould  do  to  you:  when  Jesus  bid  his  difciples  love 
their  enemies,  he  gave  the  example  in  his  love  to  them. 

When 


•108   The  GOSPEL  xfius  EVIDENCED,  &c. 

When  he  bid  them  pray  for  them  that  faid  all  man- 
ner of  evil  of  them  falfly  for  his  name  fake,  he  gave 
his  example  on  the  crofs,  "  Father  forgive  them^jor 
they  know  not  what  they  do.'' 

He  faith  to  his  difciples,  a  new  commandment  I 
give  unto  you,  "  That  ye  love  one  another^  as  I  have 
lovedyoii-i''  mzxk.  that,  and  confider,  how  did  he  love 
his  difciples  ?  Let  one  of  them  anfwer,  "  herein  is 
love.)  not^that  we  loved  God,  but  he  loved  its,  and  fent 
^his/on  the — propitiation  for  our  Jin,'"  (he  adds)  *'  be- 
lojjed^  if  Godfo  loved  us,  we  ought  to  love  one  another,'' 
the  love  of  God  and  our  neighbour,  contains  all  mo- 
rality, and  we  love  him  bec^ife  he  firfl  loved  us, 
and  when  we  believe  the  love  of  God  to  our  neigh- 
bour, as  well  as  to  ourfelves,  we  fliall  fee  the  only 
foundation  of  loving  our  neighbour  as  ourfelves. 

The  morality  of  the  gofpel  is  founded  on  divine 
love  by  the  Apoftles;  they  preached  the  gofpel  to 
every  creature,  thofe  who  were  gathered  to  the  faith 
of  the  gofpel,  they  coIleQed  into  churches,  and  taught 
them  16  obferve  all  things  whatfoever  Jesus  Christ 
commanded  ;  they  exhorted,  comforted,  and  char- 
ged every  one  of  them,  as  a  father  doth  his  children, 
that  they  would  walk  worthy  of  God,  who  hath  cal- 
led them  to  his  kingdom  and  glory.  Let  any  one^ 
whofe  mind  is  concerned  about  the  preaching  of  the 
gofpel  to  every  creature,  endangering  morality,  look 
over  the  epiftics,  wrote  to  the  churches,  colle6led  by 
preaching  the  gofpel,  and  they  will  fee  in  the  former 
parts  of  thofe  epiftles,  the  riches  of  divine  grace,  con- 
tained in  the  doftrine  of  Christ,  then,  the  obliga- 
tions the  difciples  are  under  to  adorn  this  doQrinc, 
in  their  lives  and  converfatibns  in  the  various  places 
and  relations  that  they  fuftairi  ;  that  they  which  have 
believed  in  God,  be  careful  to  maintain  good  works, 
not  merely  to  talk  of  them,  with  approbation,  but  be 
at  the  colt  of  maintaining  them.     If  thefe  things  be 

foberly 


The  gospel  tjius  EVIDENCED, &c.  109 

foberly  attended  to,  it  will  eppear  to  any  impartial 
inquirer,  that  the  intereft  of  morality  is  not  endanger- 
ed by  preaching  the  gofpel  to  every  creature. 

Having  inquired  who  Archippus  was,  and  what 
was  the  mini ftry  he  received  in  the  Lord  j  the  next 
inquiry  is,  in  what  manner  is  this  miniftry  thusreceiv- 
cd  of  the  Lord,  to  be  delivered  to  the  people  ?  The 
anlWer  to  this  inquiry  is  given  by  the  apoflle.  *'  Not 
with  w  if  (low  of  words  leajl  the  crofs  of  ChriJlJJiould 
^e  made  of  none  effcB"  ift  of  Corinthians,  xvii.  to 
the  end.  "  And  I  brethren^  when  I  caiu  to  you^ 
came  not  with  excellency  of  fpeech  or  of  wifdom, 
declaring  unto  you  the  tefiimony  of  God^  for  I  detev' 
mined  not  to  know  any  thing  among  you,  fave  Jefus 
■Chrifl,  and  hirn,  crucifedy  ift  of  Corinthians  ii.  1  to 
•5.  "  And  my  fpeech  and  my  preaching  was  not  with 
enticing  words  of  man's  xvifdom^  but  in  demonfiration 
of  the  fpirit  and  of  power^  nozu  we  have  received  not 
the  fpirit  of  the  word,  but  the  fpirit  which  is  of  Gody 
that  we  may  know  the  things  that,  are  freely,  given  us 
of  God,  which  things  we  f peak,  not  in  the  words  which 
man's  wifdoni  teacheth,  hat  which  the  Holy  Ghofl  teach- 
'tth,  comparing  fpiritual  things  with  fpiritual."  Verfes 
12,13.  Thai  is,  I  conceive  comparing  the  types 
and  prophefies  of  the  Old  Teftament,  with  their  ful- 
filment in  the  antitype,  as  recorded  in  the  new. 

If  it  flVould  be  inquired,  why  were  the  a^oftles  of 
Christ  thus  cautious  to  fhun  the  enticing  words  of 
man's  wifdom?  the  two  fcafons  the  apoflle  gives,  may 
be  brought  as  an  arifwcr ;  — Firft,  the  corruption  of 
the  do6lrine  of  Christ,  in  thefe  words,  *'  not  with 
•wifdom  of  words,  leafi  th^  crofs  of  Christ,  fhould  be 
of  none  ejfcB, the  preaching  of  the  crofs,  or  of  Christ 
crucified,  is  to  the  jfezu  a  ftumbling-block,  and  to 
the  Grcfj^ /oolifhnefs,"  now  there  have  not  been  want- 
ing thofe  who  fought  by  wifdom  of  words,  to  make 
the  offence  of  the  crofs  ceafe  fiom  the  apoftles  days, 

dowjii 


iio  The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  ^g. 

down  to  our  own.  The  falfe  teachers  in  the  apoftles 
days,  laboured  to  reconcile  the  flumblinfy  Jtw  to  the 
gofpel,  by  adding  the  ceremonies  of  the  law,  teacl;- 
ing  the  Gentile  believers,  "  except  they  he  circumcijti, 
ffter  the  manner  of  Mofes,  they  cannot  be  faved,  mak- 
ing by  their  v^^ifdom,  the  crofs  of  Christ,  of  none  ef- 
feft,"  for  faith  the  apoftle,  'f  whofoever  is  circumcif- 
ed,  he  is  a  debtor  to  do  the  whole  law,  Christ  is  be- 
come of  none  effed,"  feeking  thus  to  be  juftified  by 
the  law,  they  fall  from  the  grace  of  the  gofpel.  The 
falfe  teachers  from  the  apoftles  days  to  our  own,  have 
inl^ce  manner  ftudied  by  \yifdom  of  words,  to  recon- 
cile the  do6lrine  of  Christ  to  the  wife  Greeks  who 
held  it  foolifl)  to  build  the  hope  of  falvation  on 
Christ  crucified,  as  the  only  exclulive  foundation  ; 
faving  it  is  foolilh  foi  an  ungodly  finner,  to  look  for 
juftification  by  the  work  of  Christ,  unlefs  he  have 
repentance,  faith",  obedience,  &c.  which  are  brought 
in  as  props  to  the  work  of  Christ,  as  though  it  were 
not  alone  all-fufiBcient  ;  faith,  as  it  is  thus  confidered, 
is  not  the  belief  of  the  gofpel,  which  reports  our  blef- 
fcdnefs  in  Christ  Jesus,  but  is  fomething  we  muft 
have  wrought  in  us,  or  exercifed  by  us,  in  order  to 
our  being  interefted  therein.  Repentance  as  it  is 
thus  confidered,  is  not  a  turning  from  ourfelves,  and 
all  creature  dependence,  where  we  have  been  feek- 
ing life,  to  Christ,  who.  is  our  life  ;  but  is  a  certain 
forrow,  for  our  open  heinous,  and  even  fecret  fins,  tg 
qualify  us  for  obtaining  forgivenefs  by  Christ  Jesus. 
Obedience  is  Fikewife  confidered  a  neceflary  quali- 
fication for  our  acceptance  ;  not  as  a  teftimony  of 
pur  gratitude,  that  he  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the 
J)eloved. 

And  in  this  miftaken  view,  faith,  repentance  an4 
obedience,  being  added  to  the  work  of  Christ,  are 
f^alculated  to  bring  the  do6lrine  to  the  wifdom  of  the 
OjreekjWho  always  fuppofe  God  will  be  propitious 

to 


The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  Sec,     lit 

to  the  believing  penitent  and  obedient.  Every  fpe- 
cies  of  f'alfe  religiojl,  of  what  ever  name  or  denomina- 
tion, will  agree  here,  while  every  true  chriftian  will 
agree  with  the  apoftle,  that  it  is  *  a  faithful  faying, 
and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Jesus  came  to 
favc  fmners,  of  whom  I  am  chief;  but  that  Christ 
came  to  feek  and  fave  that  which  was  loft,  died  for 
the  ungodly,  came  to  fave  fmners,  even  the  chieQ 
will  not  do  to  mention  alone^  it  is  too  weak  and  foolifh. 

It  is  true,  fay  they,  that  Christ  came  to  fave  that 
v/hich  was  loft,  and  no  fmner  will  mifcarry,  who  feek. 
him  fincerely,  earneftly  and  perfeveringly  ;  but  the 
J  text  fays,  "  he  came  to  feek  and  to  Jave  that  which  was 
loji^'  'tis  true  fay  they,  "  Christ  died  for  the  ungod- 
ly," and  all  of  that  difcription  fliall  be  benefited  there- 
by, that  will  come  to  him  ;  but  they  will  not  come 
that  they  may  have  life  j  but  read  the  text,  "  my  peo- 
ple/hall be  willing  in  the  day  of  my  power  " 

Yes,  fay  they,  but  who  are  his  people,  who  are 
given  to  him  ?  Let  the  fcriptures  anfwer,  "  the  father 
loveth  the  fan,  dnd  hath  given  all  things  into  his  hands^ 
he  hath  given  the  heathen  his  inheritance^  and  the  ut- 
mofl  parts  of  the  earth,  his  poffeffon^zudi  all  that  the 
£uher  giveth,  fhall  come." 

Thus  we  have  contemplated  how  the  wifdom  of 
words,  is  employed,  to  endeavor  to  take  away  the 
ftumbling  block  from  the  Jew^  and  the  imputation  of 
fooliftinefs  from  the  Greek  ;  and  that  every  attempt  of 
this  kind,  is  making  the  crofsof  Christ  of  none  ef- 
fect. The  fecond  reafon,  the  apoftle  draws  from  the 
effeQs  on  the  hearers  ;  where  the  do6lrine  of  Christ 
is  maintained,  there  fliould  be  a  conftant  care  to  ufe 
great  plainnefs  of  fpeech,  becaufe  the  poor  have  the 
gofpel  preached  to  them,  and  if  it  is  preached  in  lan- 
guage above  their  capacity,  altliough  it  may  be  very 
good,  and  eafy  to  be  underftood  by  the   learned,  yet 

if 
*  And  will  break  out  with  the  prophet  Mieah,  who  is  a  Cotl  like 
unto  thee  that  pardoneth  iniquity. 


112       The  gospel  Tiii/s  EVIDEXCED,  ScL 

if  there  come  in  one  that  is  unlearned^  how  JJiall  he  fay 
Amen,  at  thy  giving  thanks,  feeing  he  underfandcth  noi 
what  thoufayeji  ;  except  (fays  the  apoftle)  ye  utter  by 
the  tongiie,  words  eafy  to  be  undeyjlood,  how ^i all  it  be 
known  what  is  fpoken,  for  ye  fhall  fpeak  unto  the  air  * 
'and  he  fays,  I  had  rather  fpeak  fve  words  with  my  un- 
iderjianding,  that  I  anight  teach  others  alfo,  than  ten 
thoufand  words  in  an  unknown  tongue. 

Although  tongues  have  ceafed,  yet  thefe  expref- 
fions  of  the  apoftle,  may  at  this  day  be  improved  as  a 
guard  againft  language  above  common  capacities,  and 
when  fuch  language  is  familiar  by  ufe,  to  any  of  the 
preachers  of  the  gofpel,  fiich  would  do  well  to  attend 
the  exhortation  of  the  apoftle,  let  him  that  fpeaks  in 
an  unknown  tongue,  pray  that  he  may  interpret  ?  let 
him  pray  that  he  may  be  able  to  come  to  the  capacity 
of  the  moft  unlearned  of  his  hearers,  when  preaching 
the  gofpel  of  Christ;  it  feems  as  if  thi^  was  what  the 
apoftle  meant,  by  faying,  *'  brethren  be  not  children 
in  underflanding,  in  underflanding  be  men^'  as  it  im- 
mediately follows  his  faying,  he  had  rather  fpeak  five 
words  with  his  underftanding,  that  he  might  teach 
others,  than  ten  thoufand  that  could  not  be  under- 
ftood  ;  for  faith  he,  if  I  know  not  the  meaning  of  the 
voice,  I  fhall  be  to  him  that  fpeakcth^  a  barbarian,  and 
he  that  fpeaketh  a  barbarian  unto  me. 

Upon  the  whole,  the  apoftle  appears  to  aim  at  in- 
culcating the  delivering  of  the  gofpel  with  plainnefsof 
fpeech  for  the  above  reafons,which  appear  weighty 
and  worthy  of  attention  ;  and  fays,  ''  feeing  then  we 
have  fuch  hope  zue  ife  great  plainnefs  of  fpeech,  and  not 
as  Mofes,  who  put  a  veil  over  his  face  ;"  and  in  another 
place  neither  of  men  fought  we  glory  ^  neither  of  you  nor 
of  others. 

Let  gofpel  minifters  imitate  the  apoftle  herein,  let 
them  attend  the  exprefs  declaration  of  fcripture,  both 
of  the  Old  and  New  Teftament,  that  unite   to  publifli 

falvation 


■v 


The  gospel  thus  EVIDENCED,  &c.  113 

falvation,  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  to  the  eviden- 
ces of  tlie  truth  of  thefe  glad  tidings,  of  great  joy.  to 
all  people  ;  thatbemg  convinced  of  the  truth  of  this 
good  newsjthcy  may  tell  it  as  a  truth  to  their  heairers, 
even  to  unbelievers,  in  as  plain,  intelligible  a  manner 
as  may  be,  that  if  it  pleafe  God  to  accompany  thp 
truth  with  divine  evidence,  they  may  believe,  and  be- 
lieving have  life-  through  his  name. 
•  Let  the  hearers,  whofe  minds  are  at  a  lofs  aboiit  the 
truth  of  the  Gofpel,bend  theii:  attention  to  the  fearch 
bf  the  fcriptures  after  the  exartiple  of  the  JBereans^io 
fee  if  thefe  things  are  fo. 

Andthofe  that  are  fatisfied  of  the  truth,  from  fcrip- 
ture  evidence,  abound  in  thankfgiving  for  the  mani- 
ifeftation  of  the  exceeding  riches  of  the  grace  appear- 
ing therein,  and  make  it  their  conftant  ftudy  to  live 
as  the  grace  of  Got),  which  hath  appeared,  which 
bringeth  falvation  to  all  men,  teacheth,  viz.  "  deny- 
ing ungodlinefs  and  worldly  lufts,  and  to  live  foberly, 
fighteoufly  and  godly  in  the  world,  looking  for  the 
blefl'ed  hope,  and  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  great 
pOD  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  CHRisT,who  gave.him- 
felf  for  our  fins,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all  ini- 
quity, and  purify  unto  himlelf  a  peculiar  people  zeal- 
ous of  good  works." 

Let  the  words  of  the  apojflle  Peier  clofe,  "  If  any 
man/peak^  let  hivifpeak  as  the  oracles  of  God,  if  any 
man  minijier,  let  him  do  it  as  of  the  ability,  that  God 
giveth;  that  God  in  all  things  may  be  glorified  thro* 
Jesus  Christ,  ^0  whom  he  praife  and  dominion  for 
ever.     AMEN. 


A 


A  Sober  Attention  to  the  Scriptutes  of 
Truth,  &c. 


S  E  C  T  I  O  N     IV, 

A  Sober.  Attention  io  the  Scriptures  c/"Truth^ 
for  a  Satisfactory  Answer  to  the  Moji  Im- 
portant .QfuESTiON  that  ever  Exercised  the 
Minds  of  Men. 

To  the  taw  and  to  the  Teftimony.  Isaiah. 

If  Baal  be  a  God  let  him  plead  for  himfelf.  Judges. 

My  refpeEted  and  beloved  Friend, 

It  appears  very  unfuitable  to  tlie  fpirit  of  the 
gofpcl  to  engage  in  ariv  religious  controverfy  in  a 
way  of  driving  for  the  mafteiy,  therefore  when  you 
pointed  me  to  the  330th  page  of  the  2d  volume  of 
letters  on  Theron  and  Afpafio,  the  3d  edition;  where 
the  author  fpeaks  of  two  worlds,  Christ  hath  his 
world,  and  Satan  hath,  his  world,  &c.  Were  it  not 
for  an  apprehenhon  that  the  glory  of  him  who  has  faid 
the  world  is  mine  and  the  fulnefs  thereof;  and  that  the 
peace  and  comfort  of  every  creature,  and  their  obli- 
gation to  their  rightful  owner,  is  concerned  in  know- 
ing whofe  they  are,  and  whom  they  fliould  ferve  ;  I 
jfliould  pafs  it  over  unnoticed  j  but,  perfuaded  that 
this  is  the  cafe,  and  thatyofu  yourfelf  have  much  per- 
plexity of  mind  on  this  fubjeft,  and  have  made  me 
acquainted  with  a  repeated  wifli,  that  I  would  give 
you  my  thoughts  upon  it  ;  I  have  been  excited  to 
read  the  pafTage  and  the  fcripture  text  alluded  to  in 
fuppoxt  of  that  opinion  :  And  fat  down  to  colleft  a 
plain  fimple  view  of  the  fcriptures,  in  order  to  get  a 
juft  idea  from  them  on  the  fubjed.  When  I  recolleft- 

ed 


A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  &c.  1,5 

cd  that  I  had  already  done  it  feveral  years  ago,  at 
the  defire  of  a  female  friend,  who  requcfted  me  to 
look  into  a  pamphlet  fliehad  lately  read,  in  oppofi- 
tian  to  the  doftrine  of  Univcrfal  Salvation,  under  the 
(ignature  ofy\delos,  in  which  there  appeared  to  her 
fome  arguments  unanfwerable.  This  anonymous 
writer  may  be  fuppofed  to  take  his  fentiment  on  this 
fubjed  by  tradition  from  the  pafTage  you  pointed  me 
to,  in  the  aforementioned  author :  Therefore,  I  con- 
cluded it  would  comport  with  your  requeft,  to  fhew 
you  a  copy  of  that  letter,  which  Inow  fend  you  as 
follows : 

Copy  of  a  Letter  ftnt  to  a  Gentlewoman  at    Halifax^ 
December  9,  1787. 

MADAM, 

YOU  requefted  me  to  look  into  a  pamphlet 
you  have  been  reading,  in  oppofition  to  the  dottrine 
of  Univerfal  Salvation,  under  the  fignature  of  Adelo?, 
in  which  you  think  are  fome  arguments  unanfwera- 
ble ;  and  to  give  ybii  my  opinion,  I  have  at  length 
found  and  read  it.  It  is  introduced  with  a  preface, 
in  which  hG  fpeaks  of  Truth  as  a  pearl  of  ineftimable 
wbrth ;  or  a  chafte  virgin  of  heavenly  birth,  and  im- 
mortal charms  ;  and  in  the  firft  chapter,  fhews  that 
men  are  generally  uncertain  where  to  look  for  it,  and 
have  a  falfe  direction  given  to  their  minds,  by  their 
wifh,  by  parents,  teachers,  the  public,  the  great,  the 
ancient  fathers,  &c. 

Now,  endeavoring  as  much  as  may  be  to  avoid 
thefe  falfe  direftions,  and  attend  to  the  infallible 
Itandard,  I  ihall  proceed  to  fay  that  which  ftrikes  my 
mind,  and  which,  I  mean  chiefly  to  attend  to  is  page 
42,  margin,  '^^  Out  of  aUnalions,  and  kindred.^  and 
people^  and  tongues^  and  fo  are  part  of  the  nations  only^ 
and  yet  are  God'.5  whole  world,  of  the  redeemed,  df 
tinguiflied from  Satan's  world, for  which  Jesus  nei- 
ther prayed  nor  died"        The  whole  difcourfe  turns 

upoii 


ii6  A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  Sec, 

upon  this  as  its  main  hinge;  let  us  look  into  the 
fcriptures  and  feeifthefe  things  are  fo  :  It  we  begin 
to  look  for  S'ti^^n's  world,  although  he  told  our  Lord 
Jesus, Mark,  iv.5,  6.  after  Chewing  him  all  the  king- 
doms of  the  world  in,  and  faying,  all  this  power  will 
X  give  thee,  and  the  glory  of  them,  if  thou  wilt  falJL 
down  and  worfliip  me,  all  fliaU  be  thine  :  And  al- 
though he  is  called,  ift  of  Corinthians,  iv.  4.  The  God 
of  this  ■world,  and  it  is  faid,  1  ft  John,  v.  19,  the  whoU 
world  lieth  in  wickednefs,  or  in  the  wicked  one  ;  yet 
I  know  of  no  textoffcripture  that  {peaks  of  any  part 
of  the  world  as  his,  by  creation,  or  by  purchafe,  or 
by  gift,  or  in  any  other  way,  that  makes  him  thei| 
rightful  owner,  or  makes  them  his,  or  leaves  them 
without  rebuke  in  obedience  to  him,  which  they 
would  be  if  he  were  the.ii;  rightful.  Lord. 

He  is  reprefented  as  their  deceiver,  ift  Tim.  ii, 
14.  the  woman  being  deceived,  was  in  the  tranfgref- 
Jion.  Deut.  xi.  16.  fhews  that  the  heart  muft  be 
deceived,  to  turn  afide  from  the  true  God.  In  Rev. 
XX.  10,  we  read  o^  the  Devil  that  deceived  them,  and 
in  Rev.  xviii.  23.  we  read  of  the  means  made  ufe  of 
to  this  end  :  For  by  thy  forcer  ies  were  all  nations  de- 
ceived ;  and  as  their  deceiyer,  he  leads  them  captive, 
$d  Tim.  2,26.  who  are  taken  captive  by  hirn  at  his 
loill;  having  deceived  them  into  his  fnare,  and  led 
them  captive,  he  exercifes  an  ufurped  dominion  oveir 
them,  and  is  called,  thefpirit  that  now  worketh  in  the 
children  of  difobedience.  Being  deceived  and  infnared, 
they  have  fallen  from  obedience  to  their  rightful 
owner  and  Lord,  fo  are  denominated  children  of 
difobedience,  while  they  follow  the  dictates  of  Satan, 
the  ruler  of  the  darknefs  of  this  world.  But  if  they 
were  his  property^  if  he  were  their  creator,  preferver, 
or  redeemer,  they  would  owe  obedience  to  him,  and 
not  be  (tiled  children  of  difobedience  in  their  fubjec- 
tion  to  him,  the   Devil  with  the  principalities  and 

powers 


A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  Sec.  117 

powers  in  his  confederacy,  are  called,  Ephefians,  vi. 
11,  12.  the  rulers  of  the  darknejs  of  this  world,  and 
Satan,  who  is  called  the  God  of  this  world,  is  faid  to 
blind  the  minds  of  them  that  believe  not^  2d  Corin. 
iv.  4.  yea,  they  arereprefentedas  delirious, diftracled, 
mad.  See  the  naan  among  the  ^orpJDs,  Mark,  v.  15. 
Luke  viii.  35. 

But  this  is  not  confined  to  an  individual ;  it  will  be 
found  univcrfal,  not  only  in  the,  fpiritaal  whoredom  of 
the  houfe  of  Ifrael,  but  of  all  nations.  'Tis  faid  of 
Babylon  (that  is  the  aboipination  of  ^he  whole  earth. 
Rev.  xvii.  5.J  That  all  nations  have  drunk  oftjiewin^ 
of  the  wrath  of  hex  fornications^  Rev.  xviii.  3.  and 
Jeremiah  faith,  the  nations  have  drunken  of  her  wine.t 
therefore  the  nations  are  viad. 

Thus  we  find  Satan's  world  a  deceived,  deluded, 
enfnared,  captivated,  enflaved,  diftrafted,  mad  world. 
That  he  yfurps  a  dominion  oyer,  who  are  abfolutely 
wrong  in  their  obedience  to  him,  a6ling  againft  their 
rightful  owner,  fo  as  to  deny  his  right  to  them,  and 
.  his  dominion  over  them  ;  defcribed  by  the  Apolile 
!Peter,  as  denying  the  Lord  that  bought  them  ;  and' 
bringing  npon  themfelves  fwift  definition ;  and  by 
'\\idc:,f  as  turning  tlie  grace  of  our  God  into  lafcivi- 
oufnefs,  and  denying  the  only  Lord  God,  and  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jefas  Chrifi.  This  is  a  brief  fcriptural 
defcription  of  what  is  called  Satan's  world.  But 
does  this  defcription  of  them  alienate  them  from 
being  the  property  of  their  rightful  owner  ? 

If  God's  chofen  people  fliould  vaunt  themfelves 
that  they  were  his  exclufively,  and  the  reft  were  Sa- 
tan's world,  would  they  not  embolden  and  encourage 
the  deceived  captives  pf  Satan,  to  continue  in  his 
fervice  as  their  rightful  owner  and  Lord?  Would  they 
not  join  with  therii  in  denying  them  to  be  the  property 
of  the  Lord  that  bought  them,  in  denying  the  only 
Lord  God  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ? 
'  and 


»i8  A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  StQ, 

and  fhew  that  they.themfelves  were  fo  far  under  the 
power  of  the  deceiver. 

When  God  fpake  to  the  children  of  Ifrael^  whom  he 
feleBed  ftom  all  other  nations  as  his  peculiar  peo- 
ple in  Exodus  xix.  5.  He  fay  s^  now  therefore^  if  ye 
Zi'illobcy  my  voice  indeed,  and  keep  my  covenant,  ye 
Jliall  be  a  peculiar  treafure  unto  me  above  all  people, 
For  all  the  earth  is  mine^  Pfalm  xxiv.  1.  the  earth  is 
the  Lord'sp  and  the  fulnefs  thereof,  the  world  and  they 
that  dwell  therein,  Ezekiel  xv\\\.  14,  all  fouls  are  mini, 
hence  he  is  called  the  God  of  the  fpirits  of  allflePi, 
Numbers  XVI.  22,  repeated,  chap,  xxvii.  j6,  and  he 
faith  by  the  prophet  Jeremiah,  behold,  I  the  Lori) 
the  God  of  all  fit  Pi,  Jeremiah  xxxii.  27,  The  God, 
€f  the  whole  earth  fiall  he  be  called,  faith  the  prophet 
Ifaiah,  chap.  liv.  5.  (if  fo,  what  world  belongs  to  Sa-^ 
tan  of  right,  fo  as  to  be  called  his  world  ?)  and  yet, 
notwithftandinga  greaf  part  of  the  world  are  in  the 
before-defcribed  bondage,  and  flavery  to  Satan.  Btit 
God  fo  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten 
Son,  that  whofoever  belicvtth  in  himJJiould  not  ptrifh^ 
hut  have  everlafling  life  ;  for  Gonfent  not  his  Son 
into  the  world  to  condemntheworld,  but  that  the  world, 
■through  him  might  be  faved,  John  iii.  16,  17,  hence 
we  read  the  Father  loveth  the  Son,  and  hath  given  all 
'things  zVJo  A/'5Afl;?2(^,  verfe  35,  agreeable  to  what  was 
faid  in  the  fecond  Pfalm,  afk  of  me  and  I  fhall  give 
the  heathen  thine  inheritance,  and  the  uttermofl  part 
of  the  earth  thy  poffefjion. 

Hence  Jesus  Christ  fays,  alltJiat  the  Father  hath 
is  mine,  but  v;hy  was  this  ?  The  anfwer,  is,  John 
"^y'n.  2.,  that  he Jhould  give  eternal  life,  to  as  many 
as  thou  hafl  given  him,  confequently  Jesus 
Christ  faith,  John  vi.  37,  38,  39.  all  that  the  Fa- 
ther giveth  me,  fn  all  come  unto  me,  and  him  that  cometh 
unto  7ne,  I  will  in  no  wife  cafl  out  ;  for  I  came  down 
from  Heaven  not  to  do  mini  own  will ^  hut  the  will  of 


A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  Sec,  119 

fiim  that  fent  me  ;  and-  this  is  the  Father's-  -will  wha 

hath  fent  me^   that  of  all  that  he  hath  given  me ^  I 

^JJiould  lofe  nothing.)  but  Piouldraife  it  v.p  at  the  laji  day. 

Thus  we  fee  divine  love  hath  given  the  world  a 
Saviour,  and  hath  given  all  things  into  his  hand, 
that  by  his  faving  power,  he  many  give  eternal  life, 
to  aO  that  are  given  to  him. 

Now  if  we  review  the  ftate  of  mankind  under  the 
power  of  Satan,  and  view  the  charafter  of  the  Sav- 
iour, we  fiiall  fee  their  falvation  in  him.  Have  they 
loft  the  way  of  life,  being  deceived  by  falfliood,  into 
the  way  of  death  ?  He  is  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the 
life.  When  he  is  made  manifeft,  truth  fcatters  de- 
ceit and  falfhood,  reveals  the  way  to  the  loft,  and 
fhews  life  to  them  that  fit  down  difcouraged  in  the 
region  and  ftiadow  of  death  ;  he  fent  his  apoftles  to 
turn  from  darknefs  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of 
Satan  /o  God.  ^ 

And  as  all  the  Father  hath  is  given  to  him,  the  hea- 
then his  inheritance,  and  the  utmoft  part  of  the  earth 
his  pofTeffion,  thofe  chofen  out  of  the  world  appear 
in  charafter  as  his,  while  the  world  in  diftintlion  from 
them  are  lying  in  the  wicked  one;  yet  being  his  in- 
heritance and  poffeflion.  Hefliall  break  them  with 
a  rod  of  iron  and  dafh  themin  pieces,  as  a  potter's  vef 
fcl.  Their  iinion  in  following  the  ufurper  in  oppo- 
sition to  Christ,  fliall  be  broken  by  his  irrefiftible 
power,  who  is  their  rightful  owner.  For  this  piirpofe 
was  thefon  of  God  manfefled,t hat  he  might  deftroy  the 
works  Of  the  Devil.  In  the  paffage  mentioned  in  the 
2d  Pfalm,  their  appears  an  allufion  to  an  inheritance, 
that  as  we  fay,  is  all  wild,  uncultivated,  and  inhabited 
by  wild  beafts,  taken  in  hand  by  the  owner,  broken 
up  with  inftruments  of  iron,  which  the  more  fpeedily 
and  effeftually  it  is  done,  redounds  to  the  honor  of 
the  owner. 

Ther<r 


120        A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  &c. 

There  is  another  allufion  fD  an  hufbandman,  who 
when  he  had.  fowed  good  feed  in  his  field,  and  the 
enemy  fowed  .tares  among  the  wheat,  which  fprung 
up  and  grew,  that  was  able  to  feparate  them  in  the: 
time  of  the  harvefi,  fo  as  not  to  lofe  the  lead  grain 
of  wheat,  which  was  wheat  whei;i  fowed,  and  when  it 
grew,  and  when  it  was  harveftcd,  though  the  tare^ 
grew  with  it  twined  about  it  and  entangled  it ;  yet 
had  them  all  feparatepl  and  burnt  up,  while  the  wheat 
was  gathered  into  his  barn. 

Similar  to  this,  is  what  we  hope  for  from  the 
Great  Hufbandman  :  To  be  finally  freed  from  the 
power  and  fyrinny  of  Satan  ;  and  from  every  thing 
that  offends  and  works  iniquity.  But  it  is  faid,  the 
field,  is  the  world,  not  the  Church  ;  but  it  is  his 
field  for  the  world  faith  the  owner,  and  blelfed  be 
his   name,  mine,  and  the  fulnefs, thereof. 

Stain,  the  enemy  who  fowed  the  tares,  has  no 
tight  to  the  field  in  any  part  of  it ;  he  owneth  no 
world.  That  world  that  lieth  in  him,  is  led  captive 
by  him,  yet  belongeth  to  him  who  is  mighty  to 
fave  :  who  prayed  for  thofe  who  were  thus  drawn  in- 
to difobedience,  and  enmity  againft  him,  on  the  crofs. 
Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they 
do,  and  directed  his  difciples  to  imitite  him,  in  pray- 
ing for  thofe  that  defpitefully  ufe  and  perfecutc 
ihem. 

This  dire6lion  being  put  in  their  mouths  by  himi 
and  exa6lly  agreeable  to  his  prayer  on  the  crofs,  un- 
doubtedly will  be  anfwered  ;  as  well  as,  that  put  into 
the  mouths  of  the  difciples  by  the  Apoftle^  that  pray- 
er, fupplication,  and  interceffion  be  made  for  all  men, 
becaufe  he  will  have  all  men  to  be  faved,  and  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth. 

Adelos  fays,  "  That  it  means  only  all  forts  of  men, 

is  confirmed  by  this,  that  his  zuill  is  as  much  that  they 

Jh.Quld  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truthj  as  that  they 

fhoiUd 


A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  <S:c.  121 

Jhould  befaved  ;  and  it  is  plain  he  does  not  -will  every 
individual Jhould  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth^ 
Jatti  Jhew  the  contrary^ 

His  reafoning  is  contrary  to  the  faith  o£  Ahraham, 
who  againft  hope,  believed  in  hope,  knowing  what 
God  had  promift  d  he  was  able  to  perform  :  And  to 
the  apoftle  P^w/,  whoin  the  2d  of  i/is^rfwj,  quotes  a 
paflkge  from  the  8th  Pfalm,  thou  haft  put  all  things 
under  his  feet,  and  to  flicw  that  all^  in  this  place  in- 
difputably  means  all,  he  adds,  in  that  he  put  all  things 
under  him,  he  left  nothing  not  put  under  him.  But 
now  we  fee  not  yet  all  things  put  under  him,  but  we 
have  the  affurance  of  the  accomplifhment  of  it,  in  the 
following  words.  But  we  fee  Jesus  who  was  made 
a  little  lower  than  the  Angels,  for  the  fufferings  of 
death,  crowned  with  glory  and  honor,  that  he  by  the 
grace  of  GoD,fhould  tafte  death  for  every  man. 

And,  although  Adelos  repeats  in  another  paffage, 
"  fa^sjhew  the  contrary,"  as  if  a  repetition  of  the  ex- 
preffion,  would  fliew  the  thing  true  ;  yet  it  appears 
contrary  to  Ifaiah  xi.  9.  The  earth  Jhall  he  full  of  ths 
knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  thefea^ 
Knowing  him,  confequently  all  nations  [hall  ferve 
him,  as,  Pfalm.  Ixxii.  11.  Agreeing  with  Pfalm  Ixxxvi. 
9.  All  nations  whom  thou  hafi  made,  fhall  come  and 
worfiip  before  thee,  and  glorify  thy  name.  Daniel  {^.y^^ 
chap,  vii,  14,  and  there  was  give^i  him,  dominion  and 
glory,  and  a  kingdom  ;  that  all  nations,  people  and 
tongues, fhould  ferve  and  obey  him. 

And  though  we  fee  not  yet  their  accomplilhment, 
we  know  he  is  faithful  that  has  promifed,  who  alfo 
will  do  it.  Therefore,  let  not  Adelos  be  fo  fanguine 
in  his  conclufion,  but  if  the  vifion  tarry,  wait  for  it,  it 
will  furely  come,  it  will  not  tarry  :  Wait  for  the  times 
of  the  rejlitiition  of  all  things,  fpoken  of  by  the  mouth 
of  God's  holy  prophets,  fince  the  world  began. 

Adelos 

Q 


122  A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  Szc. 

Adelos  fays,  page6oth,  "  as  to  the  nations^  they'nia^ 
le  cotnpared  to  vaji  columns  0/  water,  moving  ajieady 
courfe  down  their  channel,  they  cannot  be  diverted  or 
turned  back.  I  wifh  him  to  remember  the  red  fea,  the 
river  Jordan,  and  the  power  of  him  thatfayeth  to  the 
deep  be  dry,  Jfaiah  xUii.  27,  and  I  will  dry  up  thy  ri- 
vers, I  wilh  him  to  read  the  cxivth  Pfahn,  with  the 
cxxvi.  And  becaufe  Simeon  hath  declared  how  God 
at  the  lirft,  vifited  the  nations,  to  take  cut  of  them  a 
people  for  his  name,  let  him  not  fay,  as  at  page  x,  "  it 
was  not  the  intent  <}/"  Jesus  ^0  do  more  than  to  colle6i 
out  of  the  nations  apeoplefor  his  name" 

I  fhali  take  notice  of  one  text  that  Adelos  mentions, 
as  coming  from  th©  whore  of  Babylon,  Rev.  xviii.  7, 
6.  I  Jit  a  queen,  and  am  no  widow,  and  JJiall  fee  nofor- 
row,  thereforejliall  her  plagues  come  in  one  day  ; 
death  and  mourning,  and  famine  ;  and  /he  /hall  be  ut- 
terly burnt  with  fire,  &c.  And  compare  it  with  Jfaiah 
xlvii.  8,9.  Thou  fay  ffl  in  thine  heart,  I /hall  not 
Jit  a  widow,  neither  Jhall  I  know  the  lofs  of  children  ; 
but  theft  two  things  Jhall  come  on  thee  in'  a  moment,  in 
one  day  :  The  lofs  of  children  and  widowhood,  they 
JJiall  co7ne  on  thee  in  their  perfetlion.  Have  not  all 
nations  drank  of  the  wine  of  her  fornication,  and  the 
kings  of  the  earth  committed  fornication  with  her  ? 
and  fliall  they  not  be  turned  to  hate  the  whore,  and 
make  her  defolate,  and  naked,  and  eat  her  flefh,  and 
burn  her  with  fire  ?  And  if  the  nations  that  have 
drunk  the  wine  of  her  fornication,  may  be  looked 
upon  as  her  children,  in  whatever  capacity,  either  as 
national  churches,  or  any  of  the  various  denomina- 
tions called  chriffian,  or  antichriftian,  or  what  or  who- 
ever may  be  looked  upon  as  her  children,  fhe  fhall 
be  bereaved  of  them,  fo  as  to  have  no  fmgle  indivi- 
dual left,  elfe  the  lofs  of  children  and  widowhood 
come  not  in  their  perfeftion  :  And  this,  fays  the  text, 
fhall  come   on  her   in  a   moment,  in  one  day  :  She 

fhall 


A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  Sec.  123 

fhall  be  deftroyed  with  the  brightnefs  of  Christ's 
coming ;  the  kingdom  of  Satan  and  Antichrift,  is  a 
kingdom  of  darkncfs,  which  the  Hght  of  the  word  con- 
fumes,  by  turning  the  flaves  in  that  kingdom yV-o??^ 
darknefs  unto  lights  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto 
God.  When  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  fhall  fill 
the  earth,  as  the  waters  cover  the  fea,  or  when  the 
brightnefs  of  Christ's  coming  is  made  manifeft,  anti- 
chrift fhall  be  deftroyed.  This  is  whatwehope  for,from 
him,  who  hath  delivered  us  from  the  curfe,  being 
made  a  curfe  for  us,  that  he  will  fave  us  from  the  in- 
being  of  fin  ;  his  name  is  Jesus,  he  fhall  fave  his  peo- 
ple from  their  fins. 

Further,  as  the  Great  Owner  fays,  the  world  is 
mijie,  and  the  fulnefs  thereof;  and  the  ufurper  own- 
eth  no  world,  but  the  Saviour  and  his  Apoftles^ 
have  dire6lcd  the  Difciples,  to  pray  for  thofe  he  has 
deceived,  and  led  captive  at  his  will,  even  the  worft 
of  them,  Doth  he  hot  greatly  err,  to  fay,  "  that  there 
is  a  loorld  for  which  he  neither  prayed^  nor  died  .?" 

The  paffage  in  the  17th  of  John,  I  think,  if  righdy 
underftood,  will  not  warrant  his  affertion  in  the  be- 
ginning of  the  Chapter,  he  fpeaks  of  the  Father's  giv- 
ing \nm.  power  over  all  fleJJi,  that  he  fhould  give  eter- 
nal life  to  as  many  as  he  had  given  him. 

Then  he  fpeaks  of  his  immediate  Difciples,  to 
whom  he  had  manifefted  the  Fathers  name,  and 
prays  for  thofe  things  for  them,  of  which  they  ftood 
in  need  of  as  his  witnefles,  that  he  did  not  pray  for, 
for  the  reft  of  the  world. 

Afterward  he  prays  for  thofe  that  fhould  believe 
on  him  through  their  word,  then  comes  in  the  defign 
of  this  prayer  ;  verfe  21,  that  they  all  may  be  one,  as  ^ 
thou  Father  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee ;  that  they  alfo 
may  be  one  in  us.  That  the  world  may  believe.,  that 
thou  haft  fent  me.  Verfe  23,  (hat  the  zuorld  may  know 
that  thou  hajljentme.     In  which  Jesus  prays  that 

the 


124        A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  &c. 

the  world  may  know  and  believe  that  he  is  the  fent 
of  God  ;  the  fame  that  diftinguifiied  the  Difciples 
from  the  reft  of  the  world,  in  verfe  8th,  the  world 
hath  not  known  Wf,  but  thefe  have  known  me^  and  they 
have  believed  that  thou  hajl  fent  me. 

•  Thus  JESUs  prays  that  the  world  maybe  brought 
into  the  fame  circumftances,  that  diftinguilhed  the 
difciples  from  the  world.  We  read  in  verfe  24,  Fa- 
ther I  Willi  that  they  alfo,  whom  thou  hajl  given  me-,  be 
zuith  me  to  behold  my  glory. 

What  is  the  meaning  of  alfo  ?  Is  it  not  generally 
under  ftood  to  bring  in  fomething  that,  had  not 
before  been  particularly  noticed,  or  difcovered  ? 
As  if  Jesus  had  faidj  I  not  only  pray  for  my  imme- 
diate difciples,  and  thofe  that  fhall  believe  on  me 
through  their  word,  that  they  may  be  one,  that  the 
world  may  know  and  believe  :  But  adds,  Father 
I  will  that  they  alfo  whom  thou  haft  given  me,  be 
with  me,  where  I  am,  to  behold  my  glory.  Any  one 
that  believes  this  to  be  tiue,  may  fay,  Am  I  given  to 
Christ  !  What  a  heathen  !  The  moft  contemned  : 
What,  one  in  the  utmoft  parts  of  the  earth,  the  moft 
neglefted  :  And  doth  he  will  that  thofe  given  to  him 
be  with  him,  to  behold  his  glory.  Oh  !  Language 
fails,  to  exprefs  the  gratitude,  and  joy  and  obligation 
to  obedience,  that  I,  and  every  heathen,  and  every 
creature  in  the  utmoft  parts  of  the  earth,  are  hereby 
called  to  exercife. 

We  were  given  to  him  that  he  might  give  eternal 
life  to  as  many  as  were  given  to  him  ;  verfe  2d,  and 
is  it  not  the  beginning  of  life  eternal,  to  know  the 
love  of  God  in  Christ  thus  made  manifeft  ? 

And  as  Jesus  prayed  for  the  world,  fo  he  died  for 
them  ;  when  he  was  lifted  up,  he  drew  all  men  unto 
him  ;  and  one  dying  for  all,  all  died,  as  the  Apoftles 
judge,  if  one  died  for  all, then  were  all  dead  :  2d  Cor- 
inthians i.   14.     And  thus  faith  the  gofpel  of  recon- 

ciliation^ 


A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  &c.  i?5 

ciliation,  God  was  in  Chrijl  reconciling  the  world  to 
h:mfclf,  not  imputing  their  trefpajfes  unto  them.  He 
died  for  the  ungodly,  and  tafted  deadi  for  every  man. 

I  diought  to  proceed  to  take  notice  of  feveral  truths 
which  Adelos  fpeaks,  which  his  fentiments  lead  him 
to  confine,  but  having  exceeded  the  bounds  of  a  let- 
ter, fhall  leave  it  to  another  ppportunity. 
Yours,  Sec. 

SHIPPIE  TOWNSEND. 

Bojlon,  Dec.  g^  1787. 

THUS,  my  friend,  I  have  fliewn  you  the  fcopc 
and  fubftance  (not  having  an  exa8;  copy)  of  a  letter 
that  was  written  fometime  paft,  on  the  fame  fubjeQ, 
judge  for  yourfelf  if  it  is  not  agreeable  to  the  fcrip- 
tures  of  truth.  If  I  have  not  already  wearied  you,  I 
will  fubjoin  fome  further  thoughts  that  were  then 
written  concerning  the  truth  he  fpeaks,  which  his  fen- 
timents lead  him  to  confine. 

Adelos  fpeaks  the  truth  "  concerning  the  appear- 
ance of  primitive  chriftianity,  and  the  diftinflion  of 
the  Difciples  from  the  reft  of  the  world." 

But  why  they  were  thus  diftinguifhed,  but  to  he 
his  chofen  witneffes,  to  bear  teftimony  againft  the 
corruption  of  Antichrift,  and  bear  witnefs  to  the 
truth  and  way$  of  Christ, amidft  a  crooked  and  per- 
yerfe  generation,  among  whom  they  were  to  fliinc  as 
lights  in  the  world  ?  lights  are  not  to  hinder  travel- 
lers from  feeing,  but  to  fliew  them  the  way  in  which 
they  may  walk  with  fafety.  The  appearance  of  pri- 
mitive chriftianity,  and  the  firft  Difciples,  were  lit  up 
to  turn  the  attention  of  loft  and  bewildered  travellers, 
to  the  new  and  living  way,  hear  one  of  tlie  primitive 
preachers  exprefs  himfelf  on  this  head,  unto  me  who 
am  lefs  than  the  Icajl  of  all  faints^  is  this  grace  given, 
that  I Jliould  preach  among  the  Gentiles,  the  unfcarch- 
able  riches  0/"  Christ  :  And  to  viake  all  men  fee  what 
is  the  Jellowjhip  oj thcmyJUry^  Scq.  Ephefians  iii.  8.  9. 

Again, 


126  A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  &c, 

Agaiiij  it  is  a  truth  which  he  takes  notice   of,  that 
*'  Aaron  as  a  type  bears  the  names  of  the  children  of 
Jfrad  on  his  breaft  plate,  and  on  his  heart,  and    not 
the  names  of  the  Egyptians,  &c."     But  it  is  as  true, 
that  the  Egyptians  are  included  in  the  promife,  as  well 
as  Ifrael ;  read,  IJalah  xix.  from  13  to  the  end,  and 
you  will  fee  that  though  they  were  deceived  and  fe- 
duced,  and  were  caufed  to  err  in  every  work  of  theirs, 
as  a  drunken  man  ftaggereth  in  his  vomit.      Yet    in 
that  day,  verfe  igjliall  there  be  an*altar  to  the  Lord 
in  the  land  of  Egypt,  vcrk  21,  and  the  Lord  Jhall  be 
known  to  Egypt^  and  the  Egyptians  Jliall  know   the 
Lord  in  that  day,  <&c.  verfe  22,  and  the  hoKiy  JJiall 
Jhiite  Egypt,  he  Jhall fmite  and  heal,  and  they  Jliall  re- 
turn to  the  Lord,  and  he  Jhall  be   intreated  of  them, 
and  JJiall  heal  them  ;  verfe  24,  m  that  day  Jhall  Ifrael 
he  the  third  with  Egypt,  and  with  AJfyria,  even  a  blef- 
Jing  in  the  midjl  of  the    land  ;  verfe    25,  whom   the 
Lord  of  Hosrsjiall  blefs,  faying,  Blejfed  be    Egypt 
my  people,  and  AJfyria  the  work  of  my  hands,  and  If- 
rael mine   inheritance.      The  gofpel  correfponding 
with  the  prophecy  fhews,  that  he  is  the    Gbo   of  the 
Gentiles  as  well  as  the  Jews  :  That  the   Gentile's   are 
fellow-heirs,  that  as  the  name  of   Ifrael  was   on  the 
breaft  plate  oi  Aaron,  the  type  and   the  children  of 
Ifrael  C3ime  to  God,  by  the   typical    high-prieft,   fo 
theEgylpll^ns,  the  Ge7itiles    come   to  God,    by  the 
great  high  prieft  of  our  profeffion ;  for  all  nations 
vjhom  thou  hafi  made  fhall  come    and  worjhip   before 
thee,  and  glorify  thy  name,  Pfalm  xxvi.  9,  fo,    howe- 
ver true  Adelos's  remark  is,  that  grand  kingdoms  at 
this  prefent  time  are  deftitute  of  the  words  of  eternal 
life,  yet  we  are  not  at  liberty   with  him  to  conclude 
that  God  has  not  a  people  among  them,    leaft   we 
Should  deny  the  heathens  were  his  inheritance,  and 
the  uttermoft  parts  of  the  earth  his  poffeffion.  Among 
men,  that  pan  of  their  inheritance  that  is  not  culti- 
vated 


A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  &e.  127 

Vated  is  as  much  their  own  as  the'  fenced  pafture  and 
plough-land,  or  even  the  garden. 

Again,  it  is  a  truth,  that  the  epijiks  of  the  Apojiles 
lucre  written  to  believers^  that  compojed  the  churches  of 
the  Saints.  Yet  it  is  true,  that  in  them  the  '  Apoftle 
wrote  to  the  Difciples,  of  that  Iklvation  that  refped- 
ed  the  red  of  the  world.  To  the  church  in  Rome^ 
whom  he  addreffes  as  beloved  of  God,  called  faints, 
he  fays,  chap.  v.  18,  as  by  the  offence  of  one,  upon  all 
men  to  condemnation  :  Evenfo  by  the  righteoufnefs  of 
one^  upon  all  men  to  jifiification  of  life.  Verfe  21, 
that  as  fin  reigned  unto  deaths  even  fo  anight  grace 
reign  through  righteoufnefs  unto  eternal  life, by  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.  If  fin  reigned  unto  death  over 
the  pofterity  ol Adam,  it  cannot  be  evenfo  refpe6ling 
grace  -reigning  through  righteoufnefs  to  eternal 
life,  except  it  extend  as  far  as  the  reign  of  fin.  Adam 
is  called  a  figure  of  him  that  is  to  come;  now  if  their 
be  more  in  the  figure  than  in  the  fubftance,  it  is  not 
a  figure  of  that  fubftance. 

To  the  church  at CormM,  fanftified  in  Christ  Je- 
sus, called  Saints,  with  all  that  in  every  place  call  on 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  both  theirs 
and  ours,  he  fays,  1  Epiftle  xv,  22,  as  in  Adam  all 
di5,fo  m  CnRisjJIiall  all  be  made  alive.  Verfe  49, 
as  we  have  borne  the  image  of  the  earthly,  we  f hall  al- 
fo  bear  the  image  of  the  heavenly,  and  2d  Epiftle,  5th 
chapter,  14, ybr  M(?/ot/^  c/ Christ  conflraineth  us, 
becaufe  we  thus  judge  if  one  died  for  all  then  were  all 
dead:  Hence  verfe  19,  God  ty^s  in  Christ  recon- 
ciling the  world  unto  himfelf,  not  imputing  their  tref 
paffes  unto  them. 

To  the  churches  in  Galatia,  he  favs,in  chapter  iv.  4, 
in  the  fulnefs  of  time  God fent  forth  hisfon,  made  of 
a  woman,  rmde  under  the  law,  to  redeem  them  that 
were  under  the  law',  if  we  believe  Jesus  Christ  is 
come  in  the  flefii,  we  believe  he  accomplilhcd  what 

he 


I2B         A  SOBEH  ATTENTION,  &c. 

he  came  for ;  and  as  he  came  to  redeem  them  that 
were  under  the  law,  we  beheve  his  redemption  as  ex- 
tenfive  as  diat  defcription;  and  believing,  may  exult 
with  the  Apoftle,  in  Chapter  iii.  13,  Christ  hath 
deUverd  us  from  the  curje  of  the  law,  being  made  a 
curfeforus.  To  the  Saints  at  Ephefus,  and  to  the 
faithful  in  Christ  Jesus,  he  fays,  Chap.  i.  g,  10, 
Having  made  known  Co  us  the  myflery  of  his  will, 
according  to  his  good  pleafure,  which  he  purpofed  in 
himfelf ;  that  in  the  difpenfation  of  the  fulnefs  of  time 
he  might  gather  together  all  things  in  Christ,  both 
zahich  are  in  heaven,  and  which  are  in  earth  in  him^ 
chapter  iii.  8  g,  unto  me,  who  am  lefs  than  the  leaft 
of  all  faints,  is  this  grace  given,  that  I  fbould  preach 
among  the  Gentiles,  the  unfearchable  riches  of 
Christ  ;  And  to  make  all  men  fee  what  is  the  fellow- 
ftiip  of  the  myftery,  &:c.  To  the  Saints  in  Christ 
Jesus  at  Phtlippi.  He  brings  to  view  the  humiha- 
tion  and  exaltation  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  his  name 
above  every  name, /A(Z^  m  ^;^<;  navie  of  Jesus  everj^ 
kneefhould  bow,  not  at  the  name,  but  in  the  name, 
which  denotes  true  worfhip,  'tis  agreeable  to  the  ex- 
hortation, of  the  Apoftle  to  the  Coloffians,  iii.  i7,and 
is  the  fame  word  that  is  there  ufed,  whalfover  ye  do 
in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Je- 
sus :  And  here  we  may  take  notice,  that  the  Apof- 
tle, fpeaking  to  them,  fays,  chapter  i.  20,  and  by  him 
to  reconcile  all  things  to  himfelf,  by  him,  whether 
things  in  heaven,  or  things  on  earth.  When  the  Apof- 
tle writes  to  the  Evangelift  Timothy,  the  fame  truths 
are  inculcated,  ift  of  Timothy,  2,  from  one  to  the 
6th  verfe;  and  Titus  n,  11,  the  grace  of  Go  n, which 
bringeth  falvation  to  all  men  hath  appeared  :  We  have 
already  had  occafion  to  mention,  what  he  fays  to 
the  Hebrews,  in  chapter  ii,  8,  g,  James  is  fo  far  from 
fuppofing  the  begotten  by  the  word  of  truth,  are 
God's  whole  world,  that  he  calls  them  firft-fruits  :— 

Of 


A  SOBER  ATTENtlON,  &:c.  129 

Of  his  own  luill  begat  he  vs,  by  the  word  of  truth,  that 
•me  JJiould   be  a  kind  of  firp;  fruits  of  his  creatures. 
And  Peter  fpcaks  oS.  falft  teachers',  who  Jliall  privily 
bring  in  damnable  errors.^  even  denying  the  Lord  that 
hoiight  them,  and    bring   on  themfelves  fwift  deflruc- 
tion  ;  for  definition  and  mifery  are   in  their  ways, 
who  deny  the  Lord   that   bought  them,  who  is  the 
way  of  peace  ;  but  hath  the   Lord  bought   theni  ? 
Then  they  are  his,  accofding  to  Ifaiah  xliii.  i,  /  hate 
redeemed  thee,  thou  art  mine,  dinA  he  will  not  lofe  the 
purchafe  of  his  blood  j  though  they  haVe  deftfoyed 
themfelves,  in  him,  is  their  help.     John,  you  know 
fpeaks  of  Jesus,  «s  the  propitiation  for  our  fins,  and, 
not  for  ours  only,  but  for  the  whole  worlds  and  in  the 
Revelations,  he  fays,  and  every   creature  in  Heaven^ 
on  earth,  and  in  the  fea,  heard  I,  fay  blefjing,   andL 
honour,  andglory>i  and  power,  unto  him  that  fitteth  on 
the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever.  Saw 
he  not  then  in  vifion,  every  knee  bow    in  the  nam-e 
of  Jesus  ?  Now  when  we  confider  the  Apoftles  and 
firft  difciples,  the  firft  Churches,  and  thole    in   after 
ages  who  followed  the  footfteps  of  the  firft  flocks 
elefctedj  chofen  or  predcftinated,  hereunto  by  Jesus 
Christ,  according  to  the  good  pleafure  of  his  will, 
to  whom  the  myftery  of  his  will  is  made  known,  ac- 
cording to  the  good  pleafure  which  he  hath  purpofed 
inhimfelf.     Ephefians,  i.  5.  9,  We  find  it   was  that 
in  the  dfpcnfation  of  the  fulnefs  of  time,    he  might 
gather  together  in  one,  all  things  in  Chrijl,  verfe  10, 
and  to  make  all  men  fee  what  is   the  fellowfhip  of  the 
myflery.     (Think  of  the  expreffionj  Jesus  Christ, 
fays  Matthew,  xi.  25,  /  thank  thee,  0   Father,  Lord 
of  Heaven  and  earth,  that  thou  hafl  hid  thefe  things 
from   the   wife  and  prudent,  and  hafl  revealed  them 
unto  babes,  even  fo  Father,  for  fo  it  feemed  good  in  thy 
fight  :  Tis  revealed  to  make  all  men  fee,  not  for 
thofe  to  whom  it  is  revealed,  to  glory  over  their  fel- 
R  low 


i^Q  A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  4c. 

low  men,  from  whom  it  feems  good  in  the  light  oi 
God,  it  fiiould  yet  be  hidden,  by  telHng  them  they 
fliall  never  fee,  "  Thej-e  are  multitudes  of  them  that 
belong  to  Satan  s  world,  for  whom  Jefus  neither  pray^ 
ed  nor  died  ?  If  he  that  hath  mercy  on  whom  he  will, 
of  his  own  will  hath  begotten  them  by  the  word  of 
truth,  that  they  fliould  be  a  kind  of  firft-fruits  of  his 
creatures,  let  them  remember,  that  the  whole  harveft, 
even  the  lateft  part  of  it  belongs  to  the  fame  owner, 
and  not  be  fo  ready  to  affert  that  a  part  belongs  to 
his  enemy,  whom  the  Great  Owner  has  caft  out,  and 
drawn  all  men  unto  himfelf,  John  xii.  31,  32. 

Now  my  beloved  friend,  let  me  afk  myfelf  and 
you  a  plain  queftion,  which,  perhaps  we  have  been 
often  afked  in  our  childhood  :  Who  made  you  ? 
Who  preferves  you  ?  Who  redeemed  you  ?  The  an- 
fwer  will  determine  whofe  we  are,  and  whom  we 
ihouldferve,forour  Creator,  Preferver,  and  Redeem- 
er, is  our  Owner  and  Lord.  To  him  we  look  to 
fafcguard,  and  defend  his  own  property,  to  provide 
for  them,  in  licknefs  and  health,  to  be  with  them  in 
life  and  death  j  for  even  death  itfelf  cannot  alienate 
his  property  ;  for  living  and  dying,  we  are  the 
Lord's.  The  Apoftle  in  Romans  viii.  38,  fays,  / 
am  perfuaded^i  that  neither  death  nor  life^  nor  Angels^ 
nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things  prejent,  nor 
things  to  come,  Jh all  be  able  to  feparate  us  from  the 
love  of  God  zvhich  is  in  Chrifi  Jefus  our -Lord.  So 
that  deadi  can  neither  deftroy  the  Divine  propriety 
in  us,  nor  his  love  to  us.     Glory  be  to  his  name. 

These  things  being  fo,  it  is  evident  that  obedi- 
ence is  due  to  our  Riditful  Mafter  and  Lord  :  And 
any  man  that  acls  under  the  Prince  of  darknefs,  the 
Prince  of  the  power  of  the  air,  the  Spirit  that  now 
worketh  in  the  children  of  difobedience,  in  oppofi- 
tion  to  Christ  Jesus,  mult  be.  felf  condemned,  as 
in  rebellion  to  his  Rightful  Sovereign :  But  if  the 

contrary 


A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  &c.  131 

contrary  vere  true,  and  any  part  of  the  world  belong 
to  Satan,  as  their  rightful  owner  and  Lord  ;  they 
have  to  look  to  him  for  prote6lion,  and  owe  their 
obedience  to  him,  and  cannot  be  deemed  rebels  in 
their  fubje6lion  to  him  ;  fbocking  confequences  of 
attempting  to  prove  that  any  part  of  mankind  belong 
to  Satan,  fee  how  it  opens  the  flood-gates  to  all  im- 
piety and  wickednefs.  And  as  we  are  every  one  of 
us  under  every  poflible  obligation  of  obedience  to 
him,  fo  we  are  to  confider  ourfelves  members  of  his 
Great  Family ;  and  to  love  one  another,  as  he  has 
given  commandment,  and  as  we  have  opportunity, 
do  good  to  all  men,  efpecially  unto  them  who  arc  of 
the  houfehold  of  faith. 

To  what  hath  been  faid,  there  arifes  the  following 
objedions ;  namely,  Jesus  Christ  fays,  of  the 
]ev!s,ye  are  not  ofmyJJieep,  as  I,  faid  unto  you.  In 
anfwcr,  it  may  be  faid,  the  Prophet  Ifaiah  faith,  all 
we  like  flieep,  have  gone  aftray  :  And  the  Apoftle 
Peter,  defcribihg  the  difciples  to  whon^  he  wrote,  fays, 
ye  were  as  fJie^ep  going  ajiray^  but  now  are  returned  to 
the  JJiepherd  and  hijhop  of  your  fouls  :  But  thofe  Jews 
that  rejeded  hini,  did  not  yetappear  in  that  charafter, 
therefore:  he  faith,  ye  are  not  of  my  fiieep  ;  my  flieep 
hear  my  voice  ^  and  they  follow  me  j  as  if  he  had  faid, 
they  believe  me  to  be  their  fliepherd  ;  you  are  not 
of  that  charafter,  and  do  not  appear  as  my  fheep  ; 
yet  he  faitli  in  the  fame  Chapter,  other  flieep  I  have 
that,  are  not  of  this  fold^  in  which  exp re Ifion  he  ap- 
pears to  defcribe  thofe  that  are  yet  in  unbelief,  and 
do  not  appear  in  charaBcr  as  his  fheep,  are  not  yet 
brought  into  the  fold.  Them  alfo  I  mufl  bring,' and 
theyfJiall  hear  my  voice,  and  there fhall  he  onefold  and 
onefhepherd.  Mark  the  cxpreffion,  I  rmifii  theyJJtall, 
I  muft  bring,  they  fhall  hear  my  voice. 

Again    Jtsus   Christ    faith   to    the    unbelieving 
Jews,  that  fought  to  kill  him,  John  viii.  44,  ye  are  of 

your 


133         A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  Sec, 

your  father  the  Devil.  InthispafTagej  Jesus  Christ 
appears  to  denominate  them,  by  the  influence  they 
were  then  under,  as  when  he  called  Peter  Satan  ; 
when  fpeaking  under  his  influence,  we  read,  Matthew 
xvi.  21,  Jesus  began  to  jfhew  his  difciples,  how  that 
he  mnji  go  into  Jerufalem,  and  fufFer  many  things  of 
the  eiders  and  chief  priefts,  and  fcribes,  and  be  kill- 
ed, and  be  raifed  again,  the  third  day  :  Peter  took 
him,  and  began  to  rebuke  him,  faying,  that  be  far 
from  thee.  Lord  :  This  fhall  not  be  unto  thee  :  But 
he  turned,  and  Jaid  Lo  Peter, get  thee  behind  me  Satan; 
take  notice,  it  follows  in  the  fore^iientioned,  John  viii. 
44,  and  the  Ivjl  of  your  father  ye  will  do,  he  -was  a  mur^ 
derer,  and  abode  not  in  the  truth,  when  he  fpeaketh  a 
lie,  he  fpeaketh  of  his  own,  for  he  is  a  liar  and  the  fa- 
ther of  it.  As  though  he  had  faid,  while  you  refufe 
to  admit  the  truth,  teftified  of  me,  you  cherifh  a  lie, 
and  that  lie  thus  cheriflied,  prompts  you  to  feek  to 
kill  me.  Thus  you  appear  in  charafter  as  the  chil-j 
dren  of  the  Devil,  as  being  influenced  by  him,  to  ly-, 
ing  and  murder.  Agreeable  to  i  ft  of  John  iii.  8, 
he  that  committeth  fin  is  of  the  Devil,  influenced  by 
him  thereunto ;,  but  this  notwithftanding,  there  is 
this  confolation,  that  Jesus  Christ  prayed  for  thoie 
thus  influenced  ;  even  for  his  crucifiers  ;  Father  for- 
give them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do.  And 
John  faith  for  this  purpofe,  the  Son  of  God  was  ma- 
nifefted,  that  he  might  deftroy  the  works  of  the 
Devil. 

Again  it  is  faid,  2d  ThefTalonians,  i.  6,  to  the 
toxh,  feeing  it  is  a  righteous  thing  with  God,  to  rec- 
ompencc  tribulation,  to  them  that  trouble  you  ;  and  to 
you  that  are  troubled,  re.fl  with  us,  when  the  Lord  Je- 
fus  fhall  be  revealed  from  heaven,  in  flaming  fre,with 
his  mighty  Angels,  taking  vengeance  of  them  that  knov) 
not  God,  and  that  obey  not  the  gofpel  of  our  Lord  ft- 
fus  Chrifl  ;  Who  JJiall  be  punifJied   zvith  everhfling 

dcjirukioiii 


A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  &c,  133 

isfiruBion^  from  the  prefence  of  the  Lord,  and  frotii 
the  glory  of  ids  power.  Hence  the  inquiry  is,  doth 
pot  this  text  militate  with  what  has  been  laid.  For 
aiifwer,  let  it  be  confidcred,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
fhall  be  revealed  in  flaming  fire,  doth  not  that  ma- 
nifell  his  Deity  ?  For  our  God,  is  a  confuming  fire. 
With  fbbriety  and  reverence  let  it  be  confidered, 
what  this  everlafling  confuming  fire  deftroys  :  The 
foregoing  words  in  Hebrews,  xii.  28, 29,  are  :  Where- 
fore, we  receiving  a  kingdorn  that  cannot  be  moved, 
let  us  hold  fall  the  grace  whereby  we  may  ferve  God 
acceptably,  with  reverence  and  godly  fear,  for  our 
God  is  a  corfmning  fire  :  the  grace  whereby  we  may 
ferve  God  acceptably,  is  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ 
Jesus.  Every  thing  afide  frorn  this,  offered  as  an 
attempt  to  ferve  God  acceptably,  will  not  abide  the 
fire,  will  J3e  confumed  and  dedroyed,  agreeable  to  r 
ifl  CQrindiians  iii.  from  11,  to  16,  for  other  founda- 
tion can  no  man  lay,  than  that  which  is  laid  ;  which 
is  Jksus  Christ.  Now  if  any  man  build  upon  this 
foundation,  gold,  filver,  precious  ftones,  wood,  hay, 
ftubble  ;  Every  man's  work  fhall  be  made  manifefl, 
for  the  day  fliall  declare  it,  becaufe  it  fhall  he  reveal- 
ed by  fire  ;  and  the  fire  fhall  try  every  mans  work  ; 
of  what  fort  it  is.  If  any  man's  work  abide  which 
he  has  built  thereon,  he  Ihall  receive  reward.  If  any 
man's  works  fhall  be  burnt,  he  fhall  fuffer  lofs;  but  he 
hunfelf  fJiall  befaved  :  Yet  fo,  as  by  fre.  Gold,  filver, ' 
and  precious  ftones  will  abide  the  fire,  like  the  grace 
whereby  we  may  ferve  God  acceptably;  but  wood, 
hay,  ftubble,  is  fuel  of  fijre,  and  muft  be  burnt  up,  a- 
greeable  to  Ifaiah  ix.  5,  where  every  batde  of  the 
warrior  is  contrafted  with  this  ;  for  every  battle  of  die 
warrior  is  with  confufed  noife,  and  garments  rolled  in 
blood ;  fometimes  one  prevailing,  and  fometimes  the 
other  ;  but  it  doth  not  deftroy  the  enmity  :  But  this 
{hall  be  with  burning  fuel  of  fire  (not  burning  and 

fUPl 


134         A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  Sec. 

fuel  of  fire  :  the  and  is  fupplied)  for  unto  us  a  child  is 
born.  The  prince  of  peace,  and  the  government 
ihall  be  on  his  fhoulders. 

Thus  we  fefe  what  the  flaming  fire  is  to  confume, 
when  the  Lord  Jesus  fliall  be  revealed  in  flaming 
fire,  taking  vengeance  on  them  that  know  not  God, 
and  obey  not  thegofpelof  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who  fnall  bepunifliedwith  the  everlafting  defl;ru6lion, 
of  all  their  hopes  and  profpefls  offl;anding  in  difobe- 
dience  to  the  gofpel  :  and  of  all  the  wood,  hay,  and 
ftubble,that  foolifli  buildershave  built  on  the  founda- 
tion :  Of  all  the  tares  that  entangle  the  wheat,  and 
the  chaff  that  cleaves  to  it,  of  every  thing  that  is  fuel 
of  fire.  Of  every  thing  afide  from  the  grace  that  is 
in  Christ  Jesus,  the  grace  whereby  we  ferve  God 
acceptably  :  While  bleffed  be  his  name,  even  the 
foolifh  builder  himfelffliall  be  favedyet  fo  as  by  fire. 
This  view  of  taking  vengeance  appears  agreeable  to 
Ifaiah  xxxiv.  4,  fay  to  thein  of  a  fearful  heart,  fear 
not,  behold  your  Go  n  will  come  with  vengeance,  even 
God  with  a  recompence,  he  will  come  and  fave you. 
And  Pfalm  xcviii.  8,  thouwafl  a  God  thatforgavefl 
them^  though  thou  tookefl-  vengeance  on  their  inven- 
tions, which  laft  paffage,  I  fuppofe,  refers  to  thofe 
who  came  out  of  Egypt  and  did  not  enter  into  the 
earthly  Canaan,  for  whom  Mofes  prayed,  Numbers 
xiv.  19,  and  was  anfwered,  /  have  pardoned  according 
to  thy  word.  *  Who  though  they  were  cut  off  from 
entering  into  the  earthly  Canaan,  were  not  cut  off 
from  pardoning  mercy. 

This  brief  view  ofthefe  three  texts,  is  brought  to 
fhew  that  no  divine  difpenfations  in  reproof,  or  cor- 
reftion,  diflblve  the  relation  of  the  Father  of  the 
family  of  the  whole  creation  :  His  name  is  unchang-. 
able,  according  to  Mica  iii.  6,  For  I  thee  Lord,  I 
change  not ;  therefore  ye  fons  of  Jacob  are  not  con- 
fumed 

*  Note.  According  to  thy  word,  what  word  did  Mofes  ufe,  or 
whatnamedid  he  pray  in.  See  verfes  17,  i8,  19,  according  to  the 
'■"^-Atnersoithy  mercy,  and  as  thou  haft;  done  from  Egvpt  until  now. 


A  SOBER  ATTENTION,  &c.,  135 

fumed.  He  is  ftill  the  juft  God,  and  the    Saviour, 
Fatiier  and  Redeemer  is  his  name,  from  everlafting, 
and  will  remain  fo  to  everlafting.     Therefore,  lee  the 
prophet  Ifaiah,  chap.  xlii.  10,  11,  12,  fing  unto  the 
Lord  a   new  fong,  his  praife  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth  !  Ye  that  go  down  to  the   fea,  and  all    that  is 
herein  ;  the  ifies  and  the   inhabitants  thereof.     Let 
the  wildernefs   and    t#e  cities  thereof,  lift  up  their 
voice,  the  villages  that  Kedar  doth  inhabit :  Let  the 
inhabitants  of  the  rock  fing  :  Let  them  fliout  from 
the  top  of  the  mountains*     Let  them  give  glory   to 
the  Lord,  and  declare  his  praife  in  the  iflands.     Let 
us  look  over  the  various  expreffions^  and  find  any  if 
we  can,  that  are  excluded  from  joining  herein  ;  and 
if  there  fhould  ftill  remain  a   doubt,  let  us  turn   to 
Pfalm  xcviii.  from  i,to  4,  O  fmg  unto  the   Lokd  a 
new  fong,  *  for  he  hath  done  marvellous  things  :  his 
right  hand  and  his  holy  arm  hath  gotter>him  the  vic- 
tory.    The   Lord   hath  made  known  his  falvation  ; 
his  righteoufnefs  hath  he  openly  fhewed   in  the  fight 
of  the  Heathen  :  He  hath  remembered  his   mercy 
and  his  truth  tov/ards   the  houfe  of  Ifrael  ;  all   the 
ends  of  the  earth  have  feen  the  falvation  of  our  God. 
(In  his  mercy  and  truth  towards  the  houfe  of  Ifrael 
expreffed  in  his  promife  to  Abraham,  all  the  ends  of 
the  earth  are  included)  make  a  joyful  noife  unto   the 
Lord,  all  the  earth  :  Make  a  loud  noife,  and  rejoice 
and  fing  praife.     Let  the  prophet    Ifaiah,  clofe  the 
fubjecl,  fee  chap,  xliv.  22,  23,  I  have  blotted  out 
as  a  thick  cloud  thy  tranfgreffions,  and  as  a  cloud  thy 
fins  :  Return  unto  me,  for  I  have  redeemed    thee. 
Sing,    O    ye    heavens ;    for  the    Lord   hath  done 
it :  Shout  yc  lozuer  parts  of  the  earth  :  Break  forth 
into  finging,ye  mountains,  O  foreft,  and  every  tree 
therein  :  For  the  Lord  hath  redeemed  Jacob,  and 
glorified  himfelf  in  Ifrael. 

Several 
See  wbat  the  new  fang  is,  Revelations,  v,  9. 


Several  Obje^^ions  againft  the  Extent  of 
the  Gofpel  Salvation  confidered. 


SECTION       V. 

Some  Remarks  en  d  Pamphlet,  e7iiitled,  all  meH 

WILL    NOT   BE  SAVED    FOREVER  *.  Wl'Ote  by    SaMU- 

EL  Mather,  Pajlor  of  a  Church  in  American 
'Bo^Toii^  in  anfwer  to  one,  erUitkd,  salvation 
roR  all  men  ;  in  which  there  is  an  endeavour  to 
clear  fevcral  p^JJages  of  Scripture^  which  appear 
very  much  darkened  by  the  Writer,  and  the  fevcral 
Authors  referred  to  in  that  performance  :  By  com- 
paring Scripture  with  Scripture,  or  attending  to  the 
Scripture  as  its  own  interpreter.  Addreffed  t9 
Mr.  Mather  :  Together  with  fome  Remark  on  the 
infididus  Pamphlet  (fo  called,  by  him.)  To  which 
is  annexed  four  Inferences  from  the  above 
Remarks. 

To  the  law  and  to  the  teftimony,  if  they  fpeak  not  according  to  this 
word,  it  is  becaiife  there  is  no  morning  in  them. — Prophet  Isaiah. 

For  I  determine  to  know  nothin<^  amon^  you,  fave  Jefus  Chrift 
and  him  crucified  ;  for  though  we  walk  in  tne  flefh,v,'edo  not  war  af- 
ter the  flefh,  for  the  weapons  of  our  warfare  are  not  carnal,  but  migh- 
ty through  God,  to  ihs  pulling  down  of  ftrong  holds,  carting  down 
imaginations,  and  every  high  thing  that  exalts  itfelf  againft  the  know- 
ledge of  God,  and  bringing  into  captivity  every  thought  to  the  obe- 
dience of  Jefus  Chrift,  v.  hich  things  alfo  we  fpeak,  not  in  the  words, 
that  man's  wifdom  teachcth,  but  which  the  Holy  Ghoft  tpacheth, 
comparing  fpiritual  things  with  fpiritual. — Paul  to  /At  CORINTHIANS. 

To  Mr.  MATHER. 
S  I  R, 

jl\S>  the  fubjecl  before  us  is  the  common  falva- 
tion,  I  take  liberty  to  lay  afide  your  addition,  as  that 
which  no  way  belongs  to  the  point  in  controverfy, 
and  confider  myfelf  as  on  a  perfe6t  level  with  you, 

(your 


OBJECTIONS  TO  THE  EXTENT,  &c.     i^f 

(your  fuperiority  in  years  excepted,  to  which  I  mean: 
ever  to  have  a  diie  regard)  that  I  may  wi'ite  with  thati 
freedom  and  plainnefs,  that  becomes  one,  contending 
for  a  truth,  which  1  Judge,  of  equal  importance  to  all 
the  defcendants  from  apoftate  Adam.  I  remember 
to  have  heard  this  obfervation,  that  while  we  are  at- 
tempting topiill  down  our  neighbour's  one  idoljwe  are 
in  danger  of  fetting  up  two  of  our  own  ;  but  I  hope 
I  am  not  fo  ignorant  of  the  pride  ofthe  human  heart, 
and  the  devices  of  the  grand  adverfary,  as  to  think 
myfelf  not  equally  liable  with  others  engaged  in  con- 
troverfal  writings,  to  contend  for  vi8ory  and  triumph, 
rather  than  truth  ;  arid  of  being  influenced  by  the 
vanity  of  my  carnal  mind,  rather  than  the  meeknefs 
and  gentlenefs  of  Christ.  To  him  who  is  able  to 
keep  me  from  falling  into  the  condemnation  of  the 
devil,  I  now  comniit  myfelf,  and  proceed  to  the  re- 
marks propofed  ;  may  they  be  made  with  thatmeek- 
ncfs  that  becomes  the  man  who  fears  God,  loves  bis 
truth,  doth  not  defpife,  but  love  his  neighbour. 

Notwithftanding  the  many  objeftionsi  have  againfl 
your  performance,  I  muft  acknowledge  there  are 
fome  things  in  it  that  juftly  demands  one's  attention, 
in  the  premonition  to  the  reader  ;  your  bringmg  up 
to  view,  Matthew  vii,  13,  14,  the  exhortation  to  enter 
into  the  ftraight  gate — and  to  beware  of  falfe  pro- 
phets ;  was  very  agreeable  asyouprefentitto  view — 
*'  as  coming  from  the  great  light  of  the  world,  the  on- 
ly and  true  way  to  God  and  happinefs  ;"  and  it  fixed 
my  thoughts  the  more,  as  it  is  a  paffage  of  fcripture, 
that  has  many  years  engaged  me  in  the  inquiring 
what  is  the  true  import  of  it,  as  not  knowing  but  that 
I  might  profit  by  your  interpretations  thereof,  which 
indeed  did  not  appear  fatisfa£lory  to  my  mind,  more 
than  any  thing  that  I  had  been  before  acquainted 
with  ;  therefore  I  fet  myfelf  to  inquire  into  themean- 
ng  of  thofe  words  ofthe  Lord  and  Saviour,  with 
S  other 


138      Objections  to  the  extent 

dther  parts  of  the  divine  word,  by  compairing  fcrip* 
ture  with  fcripture,  as  it  is  undoubtedly  the  beft,  and 
is  its  own  interpreter. — When  I  confider  Jzsus 
Christ,  as  made  under  the  law,  and  fpeaking  as  un- 
der the  law  to  thofe  that  Were  alfo  under  it,  and  that 
it  was  his  defio-n  to  manifeft  himfelf  as  the  true  Mef- 
fiah,  the  antitype  of  what  took  place  under  that  dif- 
penfation,  I  apprehend  in  this  exhortation  he  has  the 
fame  thing  in  view,  and  fpeaks  of  hinifelfas  the  anti- 
type of  what  was  faid  of  the  gate  in  the  Old  Tefta- 
ment  fcriptures  ;  perhaps  in  Ezekiel^  chap,  xliii.  4j 
and  4,  2,  3,  and  45,  19,  which  paffages  were  they 
well  underltood,  perhaps  would  illuftrate  this  matter; 
but  I  fiiall  only  take  notice  of  what  is  faid  in  Pfalm 
cxviii.  19,  20,  where  the  Mefliah  is  brought  in,  fay- 
ing, open  to  me  the  gates  of  righteoufnefs  ;  I  will  go 
in  to  them  and  praife  the  Lord  ;  this  gate  of  the  Lord, 
into  zohich  the  righteous JJi all  enter. — Here  we  have 
the  mediator  in  virtue  of  his  own  righteoufnefs,  call- 
ing for  the  opening  the  gates  of  righteoufnefs,  which 
may  be  illuftrated  by  John  x.  2,  he  that  entereth  by 
the  door  is  the  fliep herd  ofthejheep^  and  he  enters  the 
gate  of  righteoufnefs  as  head  of  his  body.  By  his  own 
righteoufnefs,  his  pcrfeft  obedience  to  the  law,  and 
his  full  fatisfaftion  to  divine  juftice,  in  which  the  fa- 
ther is  well  pleafed:  So  entering  by  him,  is  entering 
into  the  ftraight  gate,  into  the  narrow  way,  the  only 
way  leading  to  life  ;  Jesus  Christ  admits  no  com- 
petitor, no  rival  with  him  ;  nothing  to  be  made  men- 
tion of  but  his  righteoufnefs  and  his  only  ;  not  mere- 
ly for  the  entrance  into  the  gate  ;  but  all  along  the 
narrow  way,  and  fo  jealous  is  he  of  his  honor,  that 
he  allows  of  no  fubjeftion  to  any  other  Lord  ; — this 
appears  to  me,  the  moft  likely  meaning  of  the  ftraight 
gate  and  narrow  way,  which  it  is  manifeft,there  be  but 
few  that  find  ;  as  it  is  natural  for  us  all  in  fome  way 
or  other,  befides  him,  to  go  about  to  eftablifti  our  own 

righteoufnefs 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.       139 

j-ightcoufnefs  and  feek  to  ennter  in  thereby,  which 
though  many  feek  thus  to  enter,  they  never  (hall  be 
able  ;  for  eminently  he  is  the  way,  the  truth  and  the 
life  ;  whillt  the  body  of  the  Jewifli  nation  were  feek- 
ing  righteoufnefs  by  the  works  of  the  law,  the  Lord 
lets  them  know  the  mailer  of  the  houfe  was  about  to 
rife  up  and  Ihut  the  door  of  that  difpenfation  ;  and 
when  he  fhall  have  fo  done,  their  knocking  and  plead- 
ing, what  they  had  been  done,  and  the  many,  advan- 
tages they  had  enjoyed,  would  not  avail  them,  while 
they  rejetled  the  ftraight  gate  and  narrow  way,  and 
they  with  their  pleas  utterly  rcjefted;  while  he  fhould 
fay  to  them,  I  know  ye  not,  while  others,  i.  e.  the 
Gentiles^  fhould  come  firom  the  eaft  and  weft,  nordi 
and  fouth,  and  fit  down  with  the  patriarchs,  and  thus 
it  would  appear  that  the  great  faviour  according  to 
the  good  pleafure  of  his  will,  was  found  of  them  that 
fought  him  not,  thus  Ifrael  that  followed  after  the 
law  of  righteoufnefs  hath  not  attained  to  the  law  of 
righteoufnels  ;  wherefore,  becaufe  they  fought  it  not 
by  faith,  but  as  it  were  by  the  works  of  the  law  ;  if 
the  two  paflages  that  fpeak  of  the  ftraight  gate  be  con- 
fidered  and  compared,!  think  thefe  thoughts  muft  ap- 
pear agreeable  to  the  fcope  of  them.  Ma/^vii.  i3,and 
Lukexni.  13,24 — anditmuft  be  acknowledged  that  it 
was  not  more  the  error  of  the  people  under  the  old  dif- 
penfation by  many  deceitful  ways,  to  be  endeavour- 
ing to  eftablifli  their  own  righteoufnefs,  than  it  is  for 
thofe  who  call  themfelves  chriftians,  and  the  uncer- 
tainty and  perplexity  which  arifes  from  that  painful 
queftion,  Whatlack  I  yet,  will  forever  torment  them, 
till  the  ftraight  gate  and  narrow  way  is  wide  opened 
to  them ;  wherefore,  woe  to  them  who  pretend  to 
another  gate  or  way  befide  Jesus  Christ,  the  true- 
way  ;  he  warns  againft  falfe  prophets,  that  come  in 
ihceps  cloathing,  but  inwardly  they  arc  ravening 
wolves,  and  fays,  by  their  fruits  yc  fliall  know  them  ^ 

4^ 


J40        OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENT 

do  men  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thiftles .; 
the  fruits  by  which  Mr.  Mather  judges  of  therti  "  is 
their  own  irregular,  worldly  and  fenfual  lives  and  con- 
yerfations  ;"  and  the  fame  fruits  of  their  dotlrine,  but 
as  this  is  not  a  fatisfaOtory  difcovery,'  becaufe  men 
of  fuch  lives  and  do6lrines  don't  corne  in  fheeps 
cloathing,  but  appear  outwardly  ajid  inwardly  alike., 
and  there  does  not  feem  much  danger  of  their  de- 
ceiving ;  it  may  then  be  inquired,  who  are  the  falfe 
prophets?  I  anlwer,  our  Lord  who  hath  warned  us 
againft  them,  has  not  left  us  without  their  diftinguifh- 
ing  marks,  by  which  to  know  them,  therefore  looking 
for  the  meaning  of  Jesus  Christ,  let  us  compare 
the  paffage  with  the  apoftle  Peter ^  2d  epift,  ii.  chap, 
beginning  who  fays,  there  were  Jalfe.  prophets  among 
the  people:^  even  astherejhallbefalfe  teatheri  among 
you.,  who  privily Jhall  bring  in  damnable  errors,  evert 
denying  the  Lord,  that  bought  them.,  and  bring  upon 
themfelvesfwift  deJiru6lion,  &c.  Denying  the  Lord 
that  bought  them  ;  as  in  the  ftraight  gate  and  narrow 
way  :  the  gofpel  admits  of  no  competitor,  no  rival 
with  Jesus  Christ,  nothing  to  be  made  mention  of 
but  his  rightequfnefs,  no  fubje6lion  to  any  foreign 
lord  ;  fo  the  falfe  teachers  are  thofe  that  privily  bring 
in  Ibmething  befides,  and  cannot  truft  the  finifhed 
work  of  Christ  alone,  as  the  exclulive  ground  oi' 
hope  towards  God,  without  fomething  wrought  in  us, 
or  done  by  us  to  recommend  us  to  the  divine  favour  j| , 
and  though  the fe  teachers  will  with  much  plaufible' 
language  fpeak  honorurable  of  Jesus  Christ  ;  yet 
will  warn  of  the  danger  of  holding  his  character  and 
jfinifhed  work  as  witnefled  in  his  refurreftion,  as  the 
fole  foundation  of  hoping  for  divine  mercy  to  eternal 
life  ;  is  not  thispriyily  denying  the  Lord  that  bought 
them.— Again,  when  the  fcriptures  affert,  that  he  gave 
himfelf  a  ranjom  for  all;  that  he  tajled  death Jor  eve- 
ry man  -,  that  he  is  the  propuiatioji  for  the  whole 
'  •  world  ; 


PF  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.  ti% 

world  ;  that  he  will  hav€  all  men  to  befaved^  and  come 
to  the  inow ledge  of  the  truth  :  (or  even  as  fome  readj 
coming  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  being  fav- 
edj  the  love  of  Christ  ccyiftrained  the  Apoftle  thus 
to  judge  ;  that  if  one  died  for  all-i  then  were  all  dead  ; 
aiid  that  he  died  for  all,  that  they  which  livefhould 
not  hence  forth  live  to  themf elves,  but  unto  him  that 
died  for  them  and  rofe  again  ;  th^t  as  Jin  reigned  to 
cieatfi.,  evenfo  might  grace  reign  through  righteoufncfs 
to  eternal  life,  by  Jcfus  Chrijt  our  Lord.  Is  it  pot 
denying  the  Lord  that  bought  them,  to  aflert  this 
cannot  be  fcripture  do6irine,  becaufe  is  leads  to  licen- 
lioufnefs ;  when  the  Apoftle  truly  fays,  he  died  for  all, 
if  hat  thofe  that  livefhould  not  henceforth  live  to  thetnr- 
f elves,  but  to  him  that  died  for  them  and  rofe  again  : 
find  another  Apoftle  teils  us — v/e  love  him  hecaufe  he 
firfl  loved  us  ;  and  this  is  the  love  of  God  that  we  keep 
his  commandments  ;  let  God  be  truc^  and  every  tfian  a 
liar. 

The  doftripe  of  Christ  leads  to  himfelf  as  the  true 
vine,  the  caufe  of  all  jfruitfulncfs  ;  the  root  of  the 
righteous  that  yieldeth  fruit  agreeable  to  Hofca  xiv. 
^,  from  me  is  thy  fruit  found  ; — and  to  John  xv.  be- 
ginning ;  as  the  branch  cannot  bear  fruit  except  it 
abide  in  the  vine,  no  more  can  ye,  except  ye  abide  in 
me  ; — /  am  the  vine,  ye  are  the  branches,  he  that  abi- 
deth  in  me  and  I  in  him,  the  fame  bringeth  forth  much 
fruit,  for  without  me  ye  can  do  nothing.  Now  when 
obedience  is  urged  from  other  motives,  and  to  other 
ends  by  falfe  teachers,  v;e  may  as  well  gather  grapes 
of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thirties.  1  muft  here  make  a  paufe, 
|hat  I  may  acknowledge  the  great  fatisfa6lion  you 
gave  me  in  your  remarks  upon  Mr.  White,  the  full 
teftimony  you  have  given  to  the  do6lrine  of  the  great 
God  and  Saviour. 

I  mean  to  credit  you  for  the  whole  of  what  you 
have  -wdtten  from  page  twelve,  line  eleven  from  the 

bottom — 


142         OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENT 

bottom—"  hut  you  fay  tkere  is  one  thing  that  follotus^ 
that  is  quite  inexcufable  ;" — "  mark    fays,  he  who  is 
this  faviour,  i.  e.  of  all  men  ;  it  is  God,  not  Christ." 
"  Let  us  look  into  the  ift  of  Timothy^  2.  3,  and  we 
ihall  fee  who  is  God  our  Saviour,  and  we  fhall  fee 
that  in  the  Greek  it  runs,  in  the  Jight  of  the  Saviour 
our  God,  and  fervants  are  enjoined  to  fliew  all  good 
fidelity  that  they  may  adorn  the  doBrine  of  God  our 
Saviour  in  all  things,  in  Titus  ii.  10,   but  it  is  in  the 
Greek,  that  they  may  adorn  the  doHr.ine  of  the  Saviour 
our  God  m  all  things  ;  and  how  contrary  is  this  to  the 
interpretation  of  Mr.  White,  as  well  as  other  Arians. 
However,  it  is  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  the  Saviour 
our  God,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation."     And  in 
page  14,  line  8  from  the  top,  you  fay,  "  if  the  words 
be  juftiy   tranflated,  the    fenfe  will  be,  there  is  one 
God  and  one  mediator  of  God  and  man,  the  man 
Chri-st  Jesus, and  fo  it  fignifies  that  the  mediator  is 
both   Gop  and   man ;  but   we   note,  that  the   learn^ 
ed  Biiterjteld,  has  propofed  this  tranflation  of  the 
v/ords,  which  it  muft  be   owned  anfwers  word   for 
word  to  the  Greek ;  the  one  God,  the  one  who  is  al- 
fo  mediator  of  God  and  man,  is  the  man   Christ 
Jesus  ;  fo  then  the   man  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  the 
mediator,  is  God  as  well  as  man,  fo  that  he  is  God 
and  man   united."     The    above  quotation   is  what 
ftrikes  my  mind  with  fatisfa^lion,  as  the  truth,  as  it  is 
in  Jesus  the  Saviour  our  God  ;  and  were  I  capaci- 
tated to  recommend  them  to  every  ones   confidera- 
tion,  I  would  do  it ;  though  I  cannot,  I  dare  not,  for 
any  other  paragraph  in  your  whole  performance  ;  and 
what  follows  immediately  hereupon,  is  as  fhocking  as 
that  quotation  was  pleaftng  ;  to  which  you  add,  "  but. 
although  this  mediator  has  given  himfelf  a  ranfom  for 
all ;  for  it  mufi  he  granted  that  he  has  given  a  fuffi.- 
•cient  ranfom  and  propitiation  for  all  ;  and  he  will  not 
cafi  abroad  any,  who  penitently  come  to  him  as  he  ri- 

quire 


OF  TH£  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.         243 . 

quires,  to  gain  and  enjoy  the  benefit  of  it  ;  yet  it  is  no 
where  /aid,  that  they  who  will  not  come  to  him  for  Ife 
and  happinefs^Jhall  enjoy  the  heneft  of  his  ranfom  and 
propitiation  ;"  the  fum  of  which  is,  that  though  our 
Saviour  be  God,  and  has  given  himfelf  a  f^nlom,  a 
fufficient  ranfom  and  propitiation  for  all,  yet  it  de- 
pends upon  the  will  of  man,  whether  any  fhall  enjoy 
the  benefits  of  it ;  I  would  afk  you^  fir,  Did  you  ev- 
er read  Jeremiah  31,  31,  34,  and  chap.  32,  38,  40, 
and  chap.  33,  8,  with  the  Hebrews  8,  from  8  to  the 
end^and  Hebrews  10,  16,  17,  18  .?  Yon,feem,indeed, 
Sir,  as  if  you  thought  the  new  covenant  might  be 
broken  as  the  old  one  was  ;  but  it  mufl;  be  from  your 
inattention  to  the  Scriptures,  /  will  be  theif 
God,  and  they  fhall  be  my  people  ;  I  will  cleanfe  thcuri 
from  all  their  iniquities  whereby  they  have  fnned  a>- 
gdinfl  me,  and  I  will  pardon  all  their  iniquities  where- 
by they  have  finned^  and  whereby  they  have  tranfgrejf- 
ed  agaivfl  me  ;  the  ground  of  which  is  the  fufficiency 
of  the  ranfom  and  propitiation — /  will  forgive  their 
iniquities  and  remember  their  fins  no  more  ;  alluding 
to  the  facrifice  of  Christ,  where  the  remiJTion  of 
them  was,  Hebrews  10,  17,  18)  and  the  Apoftle 
fays,  Having  therefore  brethren,  boldnefs  to  enter  into 
the  holieji  by  the  blood  of  Jesus — their  boldnefs  did 
not  arifefrom  their  own  repentance^  their  own  good 
difpofitions  j  but  came  in  by  the  blood  of  Jesus. — 
Would  it  have  been  poffible  for  you  to  have  expreff- 
ed  yourfelf  as  you  have  done,  if  you  had  attended  to 
Jfaiah  45, 22, 3, 4, Zoo^  untomeand  beycfaved  all  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  for  I  God  and  none  elfe  ;  I  have 
fworn  by  myfelf,  the  word  is  gone  out  of  my  mouth  in 
righteoyfnefs,  andfJtallnot  return, that  unto  me  every 
knee  fhall  bow,  and  every  tongue  fJiall  fwear,furely 
fhall  fay, in  the  Lord  have  I  righteoufiefs  and  flrengtk^ 
to  himfliall  come<f  and  all  that  are  inzenftd  againfi  him 
fhall  he  aflianned  ;  in  the  Lokd  fhall  all  the  feed  of  If 
rati  be  jifli fed  and  fJiall  glory.  Sir, 


144       OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENT 

Sir,  if  you  could  accept  advice  from  one,  but  a  few- 
years  younger  than  yourfelf,  it  would  be  to  lay  afide 
your  numerous  train  of  Commentators  and  ancient 
fathers,  (about  five  and  twenty  of  which  have  been 
called  in  to  your  aid  in  your  little  piece)  and  leave 
the  fcriptures  to  fpeak  for  them felves;  for  inftance, 
fuppofe  we  fliould  lay  afide  Meflrs.  Whiie^  A^ijlin^ 
Beza  and  Grotius,  upon  ift  of  Timothy,  ii.  3,  4,  and 
betake  Ourfelves  to  the  fcriptures  for  to  find  the  mean- 
ing. I  exhort  therefore  that  Jirjl  of  all^  fupplication^ 
prayer,  inter  ceffion^  and  giving  of  thanks,  be  made  for 
all  men,  for  kings  and  even  all  in  authority,  that  we 
may  lead  a  quiet  and  peaceable  life,  in  all  godlinefs^ 
and  honefly  ;  and  the  ground  and  reafon  Upon  which 
the  Apoltle  founds  his  exhortation  is  as  follows ;  for 
this  is  good  and  acceptable  in  the  fight  of  God  our  Sa- 
viour, who  will  have  all  men  to  be  faved  and  come  ta^ 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth  ;  for  the  one  God,  the  one 
who  is  alfo  mediator  of  God  and  man,  (as  you  fay 
it  is  in  the  Greek)  gave  himfelf  a  ranfom  for  alU 
Here  we  fee  the  prayer  of  faith  in  the  public  aflem- 
bly  was  to  be  made  for  all,  according  to  the  will  of 
God,  and  to  which  the  people  of  God  could  heartily 
fay,  Amen — for  there  is  ground  of  faith,  in  prayef 
for  all  men. 

For  king5,  it  is  faid ;  Pfalm  Ixxii.  10,  11,  if^^ 
kings  of  Tarfliifli  and  the  Ifles  fhall  bring  prefents ; 
the  kings  ofSheba  and  Seba,  fhall  offer  gifts  ;  yed-t 
all  kings  fhall  fall  down  before  him :  All  nations 
fhall ferve  him.  Ffalm  cii.  15,  So  the  heathen  fhall 
fear  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  all  the  kings  of  the 
earth  thy  glory.  Pfalm  cxxxviii.  4,  All  the  kings  of 
the  earth  fhallpraife  t  he  e, when  they  fJiall  hear  the  words 
of  thy  mouth  (or  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth) 
— but  doth  not  the  kings  of  the  earth  fet  themfelves^ 
and  their  rulers  take  council  together,  againjl  the  Lord 
and  againfl   his.  anointed  ?  and  have   not  many  of 

them 


©F  TrtE  GOSPEL  CONSiDERIlD.         145 

them  been  the  bafeft  of  men  ?  Yes,  verily  :  How 
then  fliall  it  be  accompliflied  ?  becaufe  he  has  faid  il 
it  in  his  word,  and  he  has  given  himfelf  a  ranfom  foi' 
them  ;  it  is  he  that  giveth  ialvation  to  kings  ;— -hence 
there  is  ground  to  pray  for  kings,  ground  of  faith  in 
prayer  for  them,  becaufe  it  is  good  and  acceptable  in 
the  fight  of  God  our  Saviour,  who  will  have  them 
to  be  iaved  ; — and  is  there  not  the  fame  ground  of 
faith  in  prayer  for  all  men  ?  Was  there  not  an  origi- 
nal blefiing  pronounced  upon  them  all  in  their  head 
their  lirft  parents,  in  the  day  they  were  created  ? 
•When  God  blefled  them  ;  Genefis  v.  2,  And  though 
the  bldling  was  forfeited,  it  was  not  revoked  or  re- 
called, for  the  gifts  and  callings  of  God  are  without 
repentance ;  if  he  gives  commandment  to  blefs  it  can- 
not be  reverfed,  Numbers,  xxiii.  19,  God  is  not  a 
man  that  heJJiould  lie,  neither  the  fan  of  man  that  he 
JJiould  repent  ;  hath  he  faid  it^  and  fliall  he  not  do  ;  of 
hath  hTfpoken^andfhallhe  not  make  it  good  ?  behold! 
I  have  received  to  blefs,  and  he  hath  bleffed^and  I  can^ 
not  reverfe  it : — Therefore  on  the  fall  of  our  firft  pa- 
tents the  ferpent  was  curfed,  and  the  way  in  which 
the  pronounced  blefling  fliould  take  place,  is  reveal- 
ed in  the  promifed  feed  of  the  woman,  and  after- 
wards to  Abriham — Iri  thy  feed  JJiall  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth  be  bleJJ'ed ;  and  afterwards  in  the  priefthood, 
facrifices,  types  and  fhadows  of  the  Jewilh  difpenfa- 
tion — -in  the  Prophets  and  in  the  Pfalms ;  concern- 
ing him  who  is  mighty  to  fave,  God  over  all,hkffed for- 
ever :  When  I  confider  that  for  the  accomplifhment 
of  this  great  and  comprehenlive  truth  full  of  blefling 
— God  was  manifeji  in  theflefh,  the  one  God,  the  me- 
diator of  God  and  man,  the  man  Chrifl  Jefus :  the 
brightnefs  of  the  divine  glory,  and  the  cxprefs  image 
of  his  per f on,  in  whom  the  fulncfs  of  the  godhead 
(dwelt  :  I  inquire,  did  iwt  the  fulnefs  of  the  human 
as  well  as  the  divine  nature,  dwell  in  him  alfo  ?  Is  he 
T  not 


ii6        OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENT^ 

not  the  head  of  the  whole  human  nature  as  extenfive* 
iy  as  Adam  was  ?  I  think  it   is  impoffible  to  conceive 
the  ApoiUes  meaning  in  Romans  v,  from  14  to  thd 
end,  in  any  other  light  :  Indeed,  Sir,  I  am  at  a   lofs 
for  what  purpofe  you  bring  this  paffage   into  view  in 
page  15,  and  filling  a  paragraph  with  it,  and  then  fay- 
ing nothing  about  it  ;'let  it  be  attended  to  with    fo- 
briety  ;  and  it  will  prove  that  Christ  is  the  head  of 
every  man,  in  -which.  Adam  was  a  figure  of  him  ;  and 
that  as  head  of  every  man  he  gave  himfelf  a  ranfom 
for  all,  therefore  to  pray  for  all  men,  is  good  and  ac^ 
ceptable  in!  the  fight  of  God  our  faviour,  who  will 
have  all  men  to  be  faved  and  come  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth  ; — but  you  fay,   page  1 3,  "  May  they  ex- 
j?e51  to  be  brought  to  this  faving  knowledge  in  a  land 
of  darknefs   and  mifcry  ;  we  have    no   warrant  for 
thinking  any  fuch  thing  from  the  word  of  God"    How 
fiiocking  is  this,  where  God  hath  faid  by  his  meffen- 
ger,  he  will  have  all  men  to  Come   to  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth  ; — it  favours  of  the  fame  impious  infide- 
lity that  the  people  of  ancient  Ifrael  were  chargeable 
with  ;  Pfahn  Ixxviii.  i^^yea  they  f pake  agamfl  God  ;  , 
they  faid,  can  God  prepare  a  table  in  the  wildernefs  ? 
verfe  20,  Can  he  give  bread  alfo  ;  can  he  provide  fie fh 
for  his  people  ;  hath  he  faid  and  Jhall  he  not  do  it  ? 
hath  he  fpoken^  andfliall  he  not  bring  it  to  pafs  ?  The 
Lord  gave  the  word,  and  great  was   the   company  of 
thofe  that  publifJied  it,  for  with  God  all  things   are 
pojjible. 

Now  as  Christ  was  the  head  of  every  man,  when «  * 
he  was  lift  up,  he  drew  all  men  unto  him  ;  and  fo 
when  one  died  for  all,  then  were  all  dead — Pleafe/ir, 
to  look  into  the  text  in  ifl  of  Coznth-ans^v.  14,  in 
y  ur  Greek  teftament,  and  fee  if  it  is  not  there,  if  one 
died  for  all,  then  all  died. 

Is 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.         1^47 

Is  not  Paul  to  be  thus  underflood,  when  he  fays,  / 
xvas  crucified  with  Chrijl  ?  Was  it  his  privilege*  on- 
ly, or  did  Christ  by  the  grace  of  God  tafte  death 
for  every  man?  Agreeing  with  ill  of  John^  ii.  2, 
And  he  is  the  propitiation  for  our  J^ns  ;  and  not  for 
j)urs  07ily^  but  Jor  the  whole  world  ;  wlijch  is  agreea- 
ble to  his  giving  hivifelf  a  ravfom  for  all ;  and  there -i 
forCj  will  have  all  men  to  befaved  and  come  to  the  k7iow- 
ledge  of  the  truth  ; — therefore,  there  is  gfoiind  of 
faith  in  prayer  for  all  men. 

There  is  another  text  mentioned,(which  though  my 
mind  has  been  much  exercifed,   and  it  may  be,  have 
not  yet,  that  undcrftanding  of,  as  I  could  wifli)  your 
illuQration  thereof,  not  being  fatisfa6k)ry  upon   it  by 
any  means.     Let  us  look   for  the  meaning  of  it  by 
comparing  it  v/ith  other  fcripturcs  ;-T-butf]rIl  I  would 
take  leave  to  lay  afide  MefTrs.  Jofcph  .Nicol  Scot,  Sa- 
muel Clark  apd  Lebnitz,  with  the  other  learned  men 
rnentioned.— 2d.  I  would  read  both  verfes,  the  text  is 
Jfaiah  Ixvi.  23,  24,  And  itJJiall  come  to  pafsfrom  one 
new  vioon  to  another,  andfrovi  one  f abb  at  h  to  another 
Jhall  all  jleJJi  come  to  worJJiip  before  me  faith  the  Lord, 
and  they  fi  0,11  go  forth  and  look  oni,he  carcajfes  of  the 
men  that  have  tranfgrejfed  againft  me, for  their  worm 
Jliall  not  die,  neither  fhall  their  fire  be  quenched,  and 
they  fliall  be  an  abhorring  to  all  fleJJi.     You  mention 
Ifaiah  Ixvi.  24,  and  fay,   "  Allowing  the  words  of  our 
Lord  in  Mark  ix,  to    be  taken  from  them,  this  inter- 
preter  does  not  appear  to  have  obferved,  that  jufl  le- 
jQre  this  pajfuge,  it  is  wri1,ten  of  the  eight  wprjhippers 

^f 

*  It  was  Paul's  privilej^e  indeed  to  be  acquainted  with  this  grace, 
to,  enjoy  the  comfort  of  it,  and  to  be  influenced  to  fruitfulnefs  by  it  j 
while  it  was  not  the  divine  j;ood  plealure  to  manifefl  hiinlclt  to  the 
world  ;  but  John  xvii.  21,  23,  23,  informs  us,  There  is  a  lime  coming, 
ivhen  the 'World  fhall  kninx)  and  helie've  that  Jfjus  Chrijl  isxhe  fent  of 
God  ;  knonv  and  htlie've  the  fame  truth  that  the  difciiles  kncxv  and  bclie- 
•ved,  verfe  8,  ff^hich  then,  diftinpuijhed  them  from  the  i"orld,  and  this  is 
"Vjhat  Jefus  had  in  ine-u>  in  praying  far  his  immediate  ^ifciples,  und  thoft^ 
tbatjb'iuld  believe  through  their  vjorj. 


j-48       OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENT 

of  God  ourfavlour^  and  they  Jh all  go  forth  and  look 
on  the  carcaffes  of  the  men  that  ha.ve  tranfgrejfed  againfi 
me\'  I  fuppofe  the  eight  worfliippers  to  be  an  error 
of  the  prefs,  putting  tight  for  right  ;  but  if  fo,  then 
the  right  worfhippers  are  all  flefh,  for  all  fle/k  fhall 
toorfhip — but  as  this  was  not  your  defign,  here  is  an^ 
evident  error,  that  when  you  appear  to  endeavour  to 
correfi  another  with  the  fcripture,  you  do  not  cite 
the  text  as  it  ftands. 

3dly.  Having  read  the  text,  would  proceed  to 
look  for  the  meaning  of  it  by  comparing  it  with  other 
fcriptures ;  here  we  fhall  agree  that  all  flefli  have 
tranrgreffed  ;  and  the  text  fays,  allfLeJhJhallrvorfhip, 
and  the  carcaffes  of  the  tranfgrefforsfiall  be  an  abhor- 
ing  to  allfefk.  Now  the  inquiry  is,  wjiat  is  meant 
by  the  carcaffes  of  the  men  that  have  tranfgreffed  ;  if 
vje  compare  fome  other  fcripture  prophef^es,  particuT 
larly  Jeremiah  xy\.  18,  4nd  firjl  I  will  recompenci 
fheir  iniquity  and  their  fin  double^  becavfe  they  have  de- 
filed my  land  and  filled  7}}ine  inheritance  with  the  car- 
caffes of  their  detejlable  and  abominable  things.  Esje-t 
kiel  xliii.  7,  8,  9^  And  he  f aid  unto  me^fon  of  man^  the 
■place  of  my  throne  and  the  place  of  thefoles  of  my  feet 
•where  J  will  dwell  in  the  midfi  ofihe  children  of  ifrael 
forever,  and  my  holy  name  fhall  the  houfe  of  ijrael  no 
more  defile  ;  they  nor  their  kings  by  their  whoredoms^ 
nor  by  the  carcases  of  their  kings  in  their  high  places^ 
in  their  fitting  their  threfhold  by  my  threfliold^  and 
their pofl  by  my  pofi -,- — they  have  even  defiled  my  holy 
name  by  their  abominationSiWherefore  I  confumed  ihem 
in  7nine  anger  ;  now  let  them  put  away  their  whoredom 
and  the  carcaffes  of  their  kings  far  from  wf,  and  I 
will  dwell  in  the  midfi  of  ther^  forever. — What  is  here 
called  carcaffes,  is  their  whoredom,  their  going  afide 
from  the  ftraight  and  narrow  way  he  had  prefcribed, 
and  worOiipping  in  ways  of  their  own  or  others  de- 
vifing,  which  is  fpiritual  whoredom,  and  abomina- 
tion 


Of  THE  GOSPEL  CO^^SIDERED.         149 

tton  to  him,  and  when  thefe  abominations  fo  prevail- 
ed, as  to  be  eftabiifhed  by  the  kings,  as  the  form  of 
worfhip  ordered  to  be  obfervcd  as  the  religion  of  the 
Kingdom,  they  are  calied  the  carcaffes  of  their  kings, 
and  as  this  profane  worfhip  was  paid  in  high  places, 
it  was  called  the  carcafles  of  their  kings,  in  their  high 
placesj  and  as  it  took  the  place  of  the  worfliip  of  the 
true  Goi>,  it  is  called  their  threfhold,  by  my  threfiiold, 
■and  their  port,  by  my  poft,  by  which  they  profane  hi^ 
holy  name  ; — Now  as  this  is  very  evident,  if  we  look 
over  the  hiftory  of  the  kingdoms  of  Judah  and  Ifrael, 
^  a  little  attention  would  fhcw  that  this  is  applicable 
to  all  ilefh  who  have  corrupted  their  way,  all  agree- 
ing in  going  aftray ;  though  every  one  turns  to  his 
own  way,  every  one's  own  way  in  this  view,  is  the  car- 
cafe  of  his  abomination,  and  when  ever  any  are  turn- 
ed from  idols,  to  ^he  living  God,  their  way  of  go- 
ing aftray  from  him,  becomes  to  them  an  abhorrence, 
Ijccaufe  it  is  an  abomination  to  the  Lord,  againft 
vhichour  God,  who  is  a  confuming  fire,  a  jealous 
God,  has  declared,  and  will  eternally  manifeft  his  dif- 
pleafurc.  Wheji  all  flefh  fhajl  come  to  worfhip  bcr 
fore  the  Lor  d,  the  carcaffes  of  the  men  that  have  tranf-, 
greffed,  will  be  abhorrent  to  them. 

I  oifer  thefe  my  thoughts  freely,  if  any  one  uporj 
comparing  thefe  fcriptures,f}iall  give  a  more  probable 
meaning  of  them,  than  I  have  advanced,  I  hope  it  will 
be  candidly  received,  if  I  was  to  inquire  into  the 
meaning  of  what  God  our  faviour  fays,  when  refer' 
ing  to  this  pafTage  in  the  9th  of  Mark,  I  fhould  take 
potice  of  the  occafion  of  his  writing  thefe  words,  in 
order  to  undcrftandthem,  and  if  I  miftake  not,  they 
fire  addreffed  to  his  impiediate  difciples,  who  had 
been  difputing  which  fhould  be  greateft ;  from  the 
33d,  to  the  end  of  the  37th  verfe  ;  then  in  verfe  38, 
John  anfwered  him  (as  not  yet  cured  o  f  this  fondncfs 
for  pre-eminence)  faying,  majler   zee  Jctjj  pne  cajiing 

out 


450        OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENT 

eui  devils  in  thy  name,  and  we  forbad  him,   becaufe  h^ 
Jollowed  not  us. — Now  the  whole  from  the  39th  verfe, 
to  the  end,  appears  addrefled  to  the  difciples  upon  the 
very  fubjed  in  anfwer  to  John,  who  fpake  in  behalf 
of  himfelf,  and  his  fellow  difciples,  majlerwefaw  one^ 
i3c.    Omitting  what  might  be  obferved  in  the  preced- 
ing verfes,  I  fhall  take  notice  of  the  43d  verfe,  If  thy 
hand,  thy  foot,  thine  eye  offend  thee,  if  you  find  a 
difpofition  to  defpife  one  of  thefe  little  ones  and  to 
prefer  yourfelves  above   them,  becaufe   your  eyes 
have  difcovered  truth   and   duty  beyond  them,  or 
becaufe     your     feet    have  carried  you    further  in 
your  mailer's  caufe  than  they   are  able  tp  go,  or  be- 
caufe your  hands  have  laboured  therein,  or  have  dealt 
out  to  the  poor  and   neceflitous    beyond  what  they 
ever  were,  or  are  ever  like  to  be  able  ;  this  pride  of 
heart  is  alide  from  the  narrow  way,  it  is  taking  a  ftep. 
into   the  broad  way,  it  leads  to  deftru6lion  ;  in  the 
narrow  way,  Christ  is  all,  his   v/ifdom   guides,  his 
power  fupplies,  his  feet  was  ever  employed  in  going 
about  doing  good  ;  were  it  not  better  you  had  no  foot, 
nor  hand,  nor  eye,  to  enter  into  life,  halt  or  maimed, 
being  wholly  hopelefs,  helplefs,  and  deftitute  in  your- 
felf,  nothing  to  hope  for  but  mere  mercy  as  manifeft 
in  Christ  Jesus  ;  than  having  two  feet,  hands,  and 
t.yts,  to  abufe  thefe  gifts  to  the  purpofes  of  your  own 
pride,and  fo  to  fall  under  the  divine  difpleafure,  who 
fcorneth  the'  fcorner,  refifteth  the  proud,  and  know- 
cth  them  afar  off;  for  what  can  ftrike  the  mind  of  any 
perfon  with  more  darknefs,  perplexity,   and  diftrefs, 
than  to  have  the   apprehenfion  that  our  God  who  is 
a  confuming  fire,  a  jealous    God,  is  difpleafed   with 
him. 

When  pride  of  heart  and  d^fpifing  little  ones,  take 
place,  the  favor  of  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ, 
the  fait  of  the  covenant  of  God,  is  lacking;  for  every 
one  fliall  be  faked  with  fire  ; — may  not  this  receive 

illuftration 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.       i^t 

llluftration  froiti  Matthew,  iii.  ii.  Hr  Jliall  baptize 
zuith  the  Holy  Ghofl  and  zuithjire — Is  it  not  the  fire  of 
love,  love  to  him  and  to  the  leaft  of  thefe  little  ones 
for  his  fake  ;  and  every  facrifice  fhall  be  faked  with 
ialt,  that  you  now  offer  ;  looking  for  pre-eminence 
one  above  another  has  no  favor  in  it ;  it  doth  not 
favor  of  the  knowledge  of  myfelf,  and  therefore  it  is 
not  accepted  i  every  facrifice  jfhall  be  falted  with 
fait — have  Ialt  in  yourfelves,  and  peace  one  with  an- 
other. I  am  fatisfied  that  thefe  thoughts  are  agreea- 
ble to  the  fcope  of  the  palfage  ;  though  being  but  an 
inquirer,  am  not  able  to  comprehend  the  full  mean- 
ing of  them,  or  to  fpeak  of  every  fentence  in  them  j 
but  this  feems  evident  that  thofe  things  that  Jefus 
Chrift  meant  for  the  inftru6lion  and  warning  of  his 
difciples,  are  now  made  ufe  of  as  though  they  were 
only  intended  for  the  profane  and  openly  vicious 
among  mankind.! 

In  taking  notice  of  the  title  page,  you  fay,  "  Evert 
the  title  page  is  not  without  its  errors  ;  it  is  this,falva- 
tion  for  all  men  illujirated  and  vindicated  as  a  Jerip- 
tiire  doBrine  ;  had  the  writer  intended,  and  Jaid^JaU 
vationfor  all  men  revealed  and  ojfered  in  the  gojpel  : 
this  would  have  pajfed  well  enough  for  afcripture  doc- 
trine ;  but,  that  all  men  Jliall  allually  obtain  falvation 
fooner  or  later^  which  is  the  intent  and  meaning  of  this 
writer,  this  cannot  be  fairly  illuflraied  from  the  [acred 
writings,  nor  can  it  be  fairly  and  honeflly  vindicated 
as  afcripture  doBrine.'"  Let  us  look  of  this  a  little  : 
"  Salvation  for  all  men  revealed  a  fcripture  doc- 
trine ;"  then  it  is  a  truth,  a  revealed  truth  it  could  not 
be,  if  it  were  not  an  original,  eternal  truth,  I  think  I 
need  fay  no  more  on  this.  "  Salvation  for  all  men^ 
revealed  and  offered  in  the  gofpel ;"  that  Jesus 
Christ  or  his  falvation  are  offered  in  the  gofpel,  is 
without  any  foundation  in  the  fcriptures,  and  conveys 
an  idea  very  difhonourable  to  him,  and  very  exalting 

to 


15*        dBJECtlONS  TO  THR^  tXTENt 

to  human  pride  ;  if  any  thing  be  ofFered  to  me  I  am 
at  once  in  fome  refpefts  upon  a  level  with  the  offerer, 
and  may  receive  or  not  as  I  pleafe  ;  the  gofpel  re- 
Veals  Jesus  Christ  and  his  falvation,  and  where  the 
tvidence  of  the  truth  {!rikes  the  confcience,  the  light 
diicovers  that  however  incenfed  againft  him,  I  haVe 
been,  I  muft  be  entirely  beholden  to  him  for  falva- 
tion, and  muft  be  fubjeft  to  his  authority,  or  fall  un- 
der his  difpleafure,  I  cannot  quit  his  dominions.— 
ABs  iv.  ii<  12,  The  various  paflages,  where  the  call 
and  invitation  of  the  gofpel  are  fpoken  of,  fuch  as, 
look  to  me  and  be  ye  faved  all  the  ends  of  the  earthy 
come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden  j 
mid  I  will  give  pu  rejl^  calls  the  attention  of  the  loft 
bewildered  children  of  men  that  are  grouping  in  the 
dark  after  falvation  and  reft,  to  the  objeft  where  fal- 
vation and  reft  is  to  be  found  ;  for  as  Mofes  lift  wp  the 
Jerpent  in  the  wilderncfs^fo  mufl  the  Jon  of  mun  be  lijt-^ 
td  up^  that  whofoever  bdieveth  onhim JJiould  not perijh 
hut  have  everlaJUng  life  ;  he  is  brought  to  view  that 
whofoever  believeth  the  truth  concerning  him  that 
feas  hi^  mind  fatisfied  on  divine  e"^idence  of  the  truths 
teftified  of  Christ  and  his  falvation,  fhould  notper- 
iih,  but  have  eternal  life,  the  faith  of  the  gofpel  is  the 
belief  of  the  truth,  not  the  accepting  of  an  offer  :  But 
were  it  that  falvation  was  offered  to  all,  it  could  riot 
be  fincere  if  it  was  not  for  all ;  but  Godfent  not  his  fon 
into  the  world  to  condemn  the  worlds  but  that  the  world 
through  him  might  be  faved. 

Sir,  one  thing  more  I  would  take  notice  of,  is  this, 
that  as  the  title  of  your  piece  is,  "  All  men  will  not 
lefav(d<i"  the  defign  of  your  piece  is  to  prove  the  ti- 
ale  y  and  the  reafon  is  given  in  page  25,  line  7,  from 
the  top — ^"  On  the  other  handj  it  is  plain  and  evident 
to  all  found  and  corfiderate  w-inds.^  that  the  broaching 
cf  it  (viz.  the  doBring  of  univerfal  falvation)  has  a 
very  dangerous  tendfncy  :  and  kence  it  ffiould  not  he 

admitted 


o?  THE  Gospel  considered.        153 

cdmittedfor  a  fcripture  truth''     Wlien  at  the  fame 
time  you  Tay,  page  24,  line  9  from  the  bottom,"  Nor 
is  there  the  Icajl  rcajon  to  beliive^  that  their fujferings 
ziiill  make  them  the  willing  people  of  God,as  thefuffer- 
ings  of  punijkmerit  naturally  excites  an  avcrfion  in  the 
fnfferer^  to  the  infliBor  of  the  punifliment  ;  and  as  the 
fujferings  and  torments  incrcafe  and  go  forward,  the 
emnity  and  rage  ofthofe  that  endure  them,  proceed  and 
encreafe  againf' thmr  puniflier.'^     If  this  be  true  (as 
undoubtedly   it  is)  it  is  eafy  to  fee  the  dreadful  ten- 
dency of  your  endeavours,  through  your  whole  per- 
formance.    Indeed,  Sir, you  have  hereout-done  me, 
for  I  want    words  to  exprefs   the    inconfiftency   and 
impiety,  appearing  in  the  pafTages  put  together,  efpe- 
cially  when  I  take  into  view  the  laft  fentence — "  And 
let\all  the  human  race,  as  we  are  required,  ferve  Je- 
hovah, our  Lord  and  Judge,  with  fear  and  trembling 
before    him,  from   conf  deration  of  his    hohnefs  and 
righteoufnefs,  his  terrible  majefly,  and  conf aminate  truth 
and  fait  hfulnefs  ;  and  let  usfeafonably  repent  and  give 
glory  to  God  in  Chrjl  Jifits  that  zuc  may  not  be  vexed 
in  his  fore  and  perpetual  difpleafure,  but  that  we  may 
be  bleffed  in  him  and  with  hi.m  covipkatly  and  forever." 
Such  an  affront  upon  the   human   race,  at  leaft  on 
that  part  of  them  that  will  not  be  faved,  according  to 
your  title  (fuch  an  affront  on  Jehovah  our  Lord  our 
God,  and  judge,  God  our  Saviour,  is  here  offered, 
that  repentance  is  here  put  in  his  place,  as  that  which 
will  go  beyond    the  ranfom   he  paid,  fo  that  though 
all  men  will  not  be  faved  thereby,  yet  if  they  repent 
and  give  glory  to  God    in  Christ,  they  may)   that 
though  they  will  not  be  faved,  they  arc  called  to  re- 
pent, that  they  may.     Was  poor  creatures  ever  more 
tantalized. 

But  that  I  may  not   indulge  myfelf  too  far,  I  will 
fum  up  what  I  have  to  fay  in  the  language  of  fcrip- 
ture.    You  feem  to  me  to  appear  here,  as  the  Jews, 
U  who ' 


154        OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENT 

who  being  ignorant  of  God's  righteoufnefs,  and  going 
about  to  eftablifh  their  own,  have  not  fubmitted  to 
the  riirhteoufnefs  of  God. 

o 

One  would  think  both  your  extraftor  and  your- 
felf,  were  better  acquainted  with  the  weapons  that  are 
carnal,  and  not  mighty  thro'  God,  by  your  oppohng 
learned  and  pious  men,  to  learned  and  pious  men, 
and  fitting  imaginations,  and  high  things,  that  exalt 
themfclvcs  againft  the  knowledg?^  of  God  ;  and  had 
the  extraftor  been  led  by  the  fpirit  of  the  truth,  he 
would  appear  to  vindicate,  he  would  have  feen  him- 
felf  upon  a  perfeft  level  with  his  fellow-finners,  behol- 
den to  mere  mercy  with  the  vileft,  and  not,  in  confi- 
dence of  his  own  fuperiority,  fet  at  nought  a  ftranger, 
by  ignorandy  endeavouring  to  flur  his  doftrine,  which 
he  himfelf,  as  yet,  appears  unacquainted  with  :  But 
he  makes  himfelf  a  preacher — is  not  made  fo  as  we 
are — -he  followeth  not  us. 

When  John  in  the  name  of  the  reft  of  thedifciples, 
faid  to  Jesus,  we  Jaw  one  cajling  out  devils  in  thy  name, 
and  tve  foj^bade  him,  hecavfe  he  followed  us  not,  he 
knew  they  were  fet  apart  to  their  work  by  Jesus 
Christ  himfelf,  yet  he  was  rebuked,  and  got  the  re- 
peated warning  againft  offences  that  we  have  taken 
notice  of  in  the  9th  of  M^?-;^,  from  the  43d. 

How  unbecoming  then  muft  it  be  for  thofe  who 
have  any  ground  to  queftion  the  truth  of  their  being 
taught  of  God  to  know  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  their 
being  divinely  called  to  preach  him,  to  treat  thofe 
that  preach  Jesus  Christ  in  fuch  a  manner,  becaufe 
they  followed  not  them. 

It  would  become  us  whenever  we  find  ourfelves 
difpofed  to  offend  any  of  thofe  litde  ones  that  believe 
in  Jesus,  or  at  leaft  for  whom  he  died,  to  attend  fo- 
berly  to  the  above-mentioned  9th  of  Mar/^,  and  when 
we  come  to  underftand  and  pradice  the  exhortation 
in  the  50th  verfe,  have  fait  in  yourfelves^  it  will  lead 
us  to  peace  one  with  another.  I  would 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED. 


»55 


I  would  alfo  take  notice  of  the  extraftor's  endeav- 
ouring to  diftinguifh  himfelf,  by  bringing  in  the  Itate 
of  unutterable  mifery  that  many  of  the  fons  and 
daughters  of  Adam  will  pafs  through,  before  they  arc 
prepared  for,  and  admitted  to,  the  joys  of  God's  prcf- 
ence  in  heaven. 

If  he  intends  this  as  the  legal  penalty  they  are  to 
fuffcr  for  fin,  he  fets  afide  the  atonement,  and  puts 
fufferings  in  its  room,  as  you  appear  to  put  repent- 
ance in  the  place  of  the  great  propitiation,  in  your 
laft  paragraph  ;  I  think  there  is  an  obvious  diftinQion 
between  the  punifl^ment  of  fin  and  the  punifhment 
for  fin,  held  up  in.  the  fcriptures. 

When  they  fpeak  of  the  When  they  fpeak  of  the 

punifhment  FOR  fin,  punifhment  OF  fm,  it 

it  is  thus  :  is  thus  : 

IJaiah  liii.   5,  He  was  Leviticus  xxvi.  41,  43, 

•wounded  FOR  our  tranf-  If  then  their  uncircumci- 


fed  hearts  be  humbled, 
and  they  accept  the  pun- 
ifhment OF  their  iniqui- 
ties. And  they  fliall  ac- 
cept the  punifliment  OF 
their  iniquities. 

Lamentations    iii.    39, 
Why  doth   a  living  man 
complain,  a  man  for  the 
punifhment  OF  his  fins. 
Chap  iv.  6,  For  the  pun- 
ifhment OF  the   iniquity 
of  the   daughter  of  my 
people  is  greater  than  the 
punifhment   OF  the   {\n 
of  Sodom. 
The  punifhment  ybr  fin,  is  what  the  law   demands 
of  the  tranfgrefror,yor  the  fatisfaftion  of  law  andjuf- 
tice ;  the  foul  that  Jinnahjhall  die^  every  man  Jhall 

die 


greffions,  bruifed  FOR 
our  iniquities.  Verfe  8, 
FOR  the  tranfgreffions  of 
my  people,  was  he  flrick- 
en. 

Romans  \w.  25,  He  was 
delivered  FOR  our  offen- 
ces. 

Rom.  V.  6,  Chrifl  died 
FOR  the  ungodly. 


%S6        OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENT 

die  for  his  iniquity.  Now  Jesus  Christ  being  made 
under  the  law,  was  to  redeem  them  that  were  under 
the  law, he  took  the  fallnefs  qf  the  human  nature  in  its 
fallen  ftate,  and  became  its  univerfal  head  in  as  cx- 
tenfive  a  fenfe  as  the  firft  Adam,  Romans  v.  14,  tq 
the  end.  The  Prophet  Ifaiah  fays,  All  we  like  fjiecp 
have  gone  ajlray — And  the  Lord  laid  on  him  the  mz- 
quity  of  us  all — And  he  bear  ourjins  in  his  own  body 
to  the  tree- — When  he  was  lift  up  he  drew  all  men  un- 
to him  ;  fo  that  they  were  all  confidered  in  him,  and 
as  the  head  of  every  man,  thefword  of  jvflice  awoke 
againfi  the  man^,  God's  fellow,  and  he  died  for  our  ofr 
fences;  and  by  his  death  finifhed  tranfgreffion^  ancl 
rnade  an  end  of  lin,  a7id  brought  in  everlajimg  righ- 
^eoufnefs,  and  made  full  reconciliation  for  iniquity^ 
which  is  abundantly  witneifed  in  his  refurre6lion,yor 
he  rofe  again  for  our  juftification  ;  his  refurreclion  is 
the  evidence  and  affurance,  that  law  and  juftice  is  fa- 
tisfied,  that  the  father  is  well  pleafed  for  his  righteouf 
neffake. 

We  may  then  adopt  that  language  ;  he  bore  our 
griefs  and  carried  ourforrows;  was  woundedyor  our 
tranfgreflions,  he  was  bruifedyor  our  iniquities,  the 
€^aftifement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him,  and  by  his 
ftripes  we  are  healed.  Is  not  this  the  fcripture  view 
ofpunifhraentyor  fin  ? 

The  punifhment  o/fm,  is  that  which  is  infeparably 
connefted  with  it,  and  confequent  upon  it :  Darknefs, 
diftrei^,  perplexity  and  mifery,  is  ever  attendant  up- 
on tranfgreffion,  and  forever  follows  upon  it. 

To  illuftrate  my  meaning,  let  us  view  any  perfon 
led  by  his  lufts,  by  the  God  of  this  world,  to  the  grofl- 
eft  a8.s  of  abomination. 

Suppofe  a  man  led  by  the  lufts  of  the  flefli  to    for- 
nication,  then   to  hatred  of  the  perlon  feduced  and 
abufed  by  him  ;  then  to  neglecl  and  defpife  the  frui^ 
of  his  body,  to  take  no  care  for  its  fupport,  mainten- 
ance 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.         157 

»nce  or  education,  unlefs  by  compulfion  of  the  law, 
and  then  to  wifh  it  dead  :  Here  we  fee  the  punifh- 
ment  of  fin  infeparably  connefcted  with  it.  Provsrhi 
vi.  33,  A  loound  and  dijhonor  fhall  hs  get,  end  his  re- 
proach piall  not  be  wiped  away.  There  we  fee  the 
tranfgreflbr,  not  only  bearing  the  contempt  and  fconi 
of  the  world,  painful  enough  to  a  tender  mind,  but 
fmarting  underthofe  wounds  of  the  fpirit  which  are 
intolerable  in  thofe  horrors  of  mind,  from  the  fear- 
ful apprehenfion  of  the  difplea.fure  of  hiin,  wlio  has 
iaL\d,/ornicatorsJJidll  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God  ; 
and  he  has  reafon  to  fear  his  being  among  thofe  that 
fhall  rife  to  fhame  and  cvcrlafting  contempt.  Here 
we  fee  Iqmethingof the  punilhmento/fin,butit  has  no- 
thing of  the  nature  of  the  punifhrnentyio?'  fin,  it  doth 
not  fatisfyjuftice,  itdoth  not  make  atonement.  If 
this  man  be  relieved  from  the  fear  of  everlaftingpun- 
ifliment,  it  muft  be  the  knowledije  of  Christ,  the 
lamb  of  God,  whotaketh  away  the  fm  of  the  world, 
who  died  for  our  offences,  and  role  again  for  our 
juftification  ;  that  mujf  give  him  a  living  hope  to- 
wards God  ;  it  is  not  his  fiiffcrings,  his  fenfe  of  guilt, 
his  prefent  or  dreaded  future  mifery,  while  he  ex- 
petls  that  jullice  will  feek  fatisfaftion  from  him  in  his 
own  perfon.  But  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  con- 
cerning Jesus  Christ,  is  his  exclufive,  all  fufficient 
fclief.. 

The  fame  might  be  obferved  of  pride,  and  a  haugh- 
ty contempt  of  fuchas  the  fcripture  calls  little  ones  ; 
the  fcripture  fays,  Prov.  29,  23,4  viands  pride  fhall 
bring  him  low  ;  fo  low  as  that  nothing  can  cheer  and 
raife  the  fpirit  to  confolation  and  peace, but  the  hope 
that  arifes  from  the  abafement  and  humiliation  of  Je- 
sus Christ; — and,  indeed  in  the  view  we  have  of 
our  own  vilenefs,  or  the  fins  of  others,  we  fliall  fee  that 
{\u  naturally,  as  well  as  by  the  righteous  judgment  of 
ipOD,  brings  us  low,  and  leads  to  dai'kncfs,  confufion. 

perplexity 


158        OBJECTIONS  TO  THE  EXTENT 

perplexity  and  mifery;  and  it  would  be  profitable  for 
us  all  to  refleft  on  our  own  waysof  tran{grefring,and, 
judge  ourfelves,  to  the  humbling  of  the  pride  of  our 
ownuncircumcifed  hearts,  and  except  the  punifh- 
xnentof  our  own  iniquity,  with  our  months  flopped, 
guilty  before  God,  nothing  to  encourage  or  give  us 
hope,but  the  gofpel  report  concerning  JesusChrist 
• — this  would  be  more  decent,  becoming  and  profita* 
ble,  than  toexercife  ourfelves  about  the  theory  of  the 
eternal  punifliment  of  fome  vile  men  much  more  wick- 
ed than  ourfelves  ;  alas!  where  would  fuch  be  fdundj 
if  our  confciences  faithfully  laid  before  us  the  aggra- 
'i  vations  of  the  guilt  we  are  chargeable  with  ;  befides 
if  we  view  ^e  ftatea  man  is  in  before  the  knowledge 
of  Jesus  Christ,  under  the  fearful  apprehcnfions  of 
fufiPering  in  his  own  perfon,the  demerit  of  his  crimes, 
it  is  ever  accompanied  with  hatred  of  God,  till  his  true 
character  which  is  love,  is  made  manifefl:,and  we  love 
him,becaufe  hefirfl  loved  us  ;  and  what  atonement 
can  that  make  for  pafl  offences. 

I  would  further  take  notice,  that  the  extraftor  ap-* 
pears  as  one  afliamed  of  the  doctrine  of  the  common 
falvation  as  revealed  in  the  fcriptures,  and  therefore 
chofe  to  venture  an  acknowledgment  of  it,  in  com-, 
pany  with  eminent  divines  ;  and  fo  not  the  authori' 
ty  of  fcripture  teftimony  held  up  ;  but  the  fcriptures 
as  held  and  explained  by  eminent  men,  is  by  him 
brought  to  view,  that  our  faith  might  fland  in  the  wifr 
dom  of  men,  not  in  the  word  of  God,  and  thus  has 
caufe  of  fhame,  efpecially  that  he  fhould  extrad  the 
one  thing  that  you  juftly  fay  is  quite  inexcufable — ^ 
*'  and  mark  you,  who  is  this  Savior,  it  is  God,  not 
Christ."  But  why  is  this  diflinftion,  we  know  no- 
thing of  Go  D,  but  as  he  manifefts  himfelf  in  Christ  ; 
When  Philip  faid  to  Jesus,  Lordjhew  us  the  Father 
and  itfiifficeth  us  ;  Jejus  faith  unto  him,  have  I  been 
Jo  long  time  with  yoii^  and  yet  hajl  thou  not  known  me, 

Philip  ? 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.        159 

Philip  ?  He  that  hathfeen  me,  hathfeen  the  father  ; 
onihow  fayejl  thoii^Jliexo  us  the  Father  ;  believe fl  thou 
not  that  I  am  in  the  Father  and  the  Father  in  me  ;  and 
no  man  knoweth  the  Son  but  the  Father,  neither  know- 
eth  any  man  the  Father  but  the  Son,  and  he  to  whomfo- 
ever  the  Son  will,  revealeth  him;  and  Jesus  Christ 
fays,  /  have  manijefied  thy  name  to  the  men  which 
thou  gaveji  me  out  of  the  world,  and  I  have  declared 
unto  them  thy  name,  and  will  declare  it,  that  the  love 
wherewith  thou  hafl  loved  me^  may  be  in  them,  and  I 
in  them. 

I  do  not  conceive  how  men  can  have  a  fatisfa8:ory 
apprehenfion  diat  they  worfliip  one  God,  that  make 
fiich  diftinftions,  unlcfs  they  mean  to  fet  afide  Jesus 
Christ  as  the  object  of  worfliip,  if  he  be  not  God 
our  Saviour  ;  if  God,  not  Christ  is  this  Saviour  ; 
then  Jesus  Christ  is  not  theobje6l  of  worfliip  ;  and 
if  this  be  the  real  fentinient,  I  need  no  longer  wonder 
to  hear  men  pray  to  God,  without  any  mention  of 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  till  they  are  one  quarter 
or  one  third  through  their  prayer,  or  in  fome  inltances, 
not  till  the  clofe  of  their  prayer ;  it  is  enough  to  draw 
forth  the  lamentation  of  Mary  from  the  worfliippers 
of  Jesus,  or  them  that  call  on  that  name  :  They  have 
taken  away  my  LoRD,and  I  know  not  where  they  have 
laid  him.  Jesus  Christ  fays,  John  x.  9,  I  arn.  the 
door,  by  me,  if  any  man  enter  in  he  fJiall  befaved,  and 
go  in  and  out,  and  find  paflure,  John  xiv.  6,  /  am  the 
way,  and  the  truth,  and  the  life,  no  man  cometh  to  the 
father,  but  by  mc  :  But  thefe  fcem  to  have  accefs 
without  the  door  ;  by  fome  other  way. 

I  know  nothing  of  God,  but  as  he  reveals  himfelf 
in  Christ  Jesus.  If  I  viewthe  creator,  I  mufl:  view 
him  in  Christ,  for  all  things  w^ere  created  by  him, 
and  without  him  was  not  any  thing  made,  that  was 
made.  If  I  view  the  prefervcr,  I  muft  view  him  in 
Christ  ;  for  by  him  all  things  confift,  upholding  all 

thing? 


loo        OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENT 

things  by  the  ^^■ordo^his  power.  If  I  view  the  rf»- 
dcemer,  the  faviour,  I  mult  view  him  in  Christ  ;for 
as  much  as  ye  were  not  redeemed,  but  by  the  prec- 
ious blood  of  CmiisTjas  of  a  lamb,  without  blemifh 
and  without  fpot,  God  was  in  Christ  reconciling 
the  world.  There  is  not  any  one  thing  in  all  the 
fcriptures,  that  is  mentioned  as  an  attribute  perfeQ.ion 
or  operation  of  God,  biit  the  fame  is  manifeft  in 
Christ  Jesus.  If  I  had  capacity  and  opportunity, 
this  might  be  illuftratcd  from  all  the  works  of  Jesus 
Christ,  when  he  was  upon  earth,  and  from  his  doc- 
trines ;  for  inftancc,  is  it  the  peculiar  prerogative  of 
God  to  forgive  fms,  and  to  heal  difeafes,  as  attributed 
to  him  in  Pjalvi  ciii.  3,  This  we  fee  thus  manifefted 
in  Jesus  Christ.  Matthew  ix.  2d,  to  the  8th.  Mark 
ii.  from  5th  to  the  12th.  Luke  v.  18th,  to  the  25th, 
He  faid,  thy  fins  are  forgiven  thee  :  And  to  prove  he 
had  power  on  earth  to  forgive  fins,  he  faith  to  the  fick 
of  the  palfy  :  Arife^  take  up  thy  couch,  and  go  into  thy 
houfe^  and  he  arofe  inwiediately,  iBc,  For  my  part  I 
cannot  conceive  of  any  relation  that  God  Hands  in 
to  us,  as  our  God,  but  in  Christ;  if  Jesus  Christ 
bids  his  difciples  when  they  pray,  fay,  Our  Father,  it 
is  as  confidered  in  him,  by  whom  we  have  the  adop- 
tion of  children  ;  Jesus,  after  his  rcfurrc£lion,  bid 
Mary  Magdalen,  in  John  xx.  17,  Go  to  my  brethren^ 
and  fay  unto  them,  I  afcend  to  my  Father  and  your  Fa- 
ther, and  to  my  God  and  your  God  :  And  as  the  elder 
brother,  not  aihamed  to  call  them  brethren,  he  fays, 
invevk  2i,Peace  ^mto you,  as  FaxhcT  hathfent  me, Jo 
fend  I  you.  To  add  no  more,  the  true  chara6ter  of 
God,  or  the  charafterof  the  true  God,  is,  Ifaiah  xlv. 
21,  I  the  Lord  ?  and  no  God  efe  hefide  me ;  a  jujl 
God  and  a  faviour.  :  none  hefide  me.  This  is  the  cha- 
rafter  of  Jesus  Christ.  Zechariah  ix.  9,  He  isjujl 
end  having  fa  Ivatzon,  Ifaiah  IxVii.  1,  /  that  [peak  in 
righteoufnefs^  mighty  tofave  :  Aad  no   where  elfe  is 

the 


Dt  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.         i6i 

thcjuft  God  atid  faviour  made  manifeft  ;  how  then 
could  one,  pfofelledly  pleading  for  the  falvation  of  all 
men,  extratt  fuch  a  palTage,  as  if  he  would  plead  fot 
fajvation,  and  fet  afide  the  faviour  ?  But  I  am  per- 
fuadcd,  that  every  one,  that  have  their  minds  led  into 
the  fpirit  of  the  doflrine  of  liniverfal  falvation,  will 
rejoice  in  that  explanation  of  Ifaiah  vii.  14,  which 
we  have  in  Matthew  i.  23,  His  name  JJiall  be  called 
Emanuel^  which  being  interpreted^  is  God  with  us. 

I  would  add  the  quotation,  from  the  ift  oi Corinth* 
icv.  from  the  24th,  to  25th  verfe,  has  rathef  excited 
my  attention,  than  fatisfied  my  mind,  from  all  that 
hath  been  faid  in  both  pieces,  by  the  various  authors. 
Therefore  as  an  inquirer,  I  would  attend  to  the 
chapter,  if  perhaps,  it  may  pleafe  him,  from  whom 
comes  wifdom  and  underftanding,  to  enlighten  my 
mind  to  underftand  a  pafTage,  which  through  my  life 
has  been  among  the  things^  hard  to  be  underftood  ; 
thefirft  part  from  the  beginning,  to  the  11th  verfe,  is 
clear  and  plain,  and  holds  forth  the  death  and  refur- 
redion  of  Jesus  Christ  as  the  gofpel  of  falvation, 
that  all  the  apoftles  united  in,  that  the  firft  difciples 
believed,  and  by  which  they  were  faved  with  the  evi- 
dences of  it  :  From  the  12th,  to  the  end  of  the  19th 
Verfe,  he  inquires,  if  Chrijl  be  r  if  en  from  the  dead, 
how  fay  forne^  there  is  no  refiirre^ion,  and  argues  in  a 
manner,  that  fhews  the  union  of  Jesus  Christ  with 
the  human  nature,  as  members  of  his  body  ; — If  the 
dead  rfenot^  then  is  Chrijl  not  raifcd — if  the  body 
rife  not,  then  is  not  the  head  raifcd — and  if  Chrifl  is 
not  rafed,  then  is  our  preaching,  and  your  faith  vain — 
and  we  falfc  witneffes,  and  you  in  your  (ins.  Froni 
verfe  20th,  he  fays,  But  now  is  Chrifl  r  fen  from  the 
dead,  and  become  the  firfl  fruits  of  them  that  flep: : 
The  firft  fruits  is  the  joy,  the  glory,  the  foretafte,  the 
earneft  of  the  harveft  and  fan6lihed  the  whole.  Sina 
hy  man,  death,  by  man,  the  rtfuxrcBion  ftom  the  dead ; 
W  —For 


lea        OBJECTIONS  TO  THE  EXTEMf 

— For  as  in  Adam  all  die,  even  fo  in  Chr/Jl,  /Iiall  all 
he  made  alive.  How  came  death  by  Adam  ?  Becaufe 
fie  was  head  and  reprefentative  of  his  offspring,  and 
{hey  confidered  in  him,  and  fo  u'niverfally  in  him  all 
die  :  Even  Jo  in  Christ,  fhall  all  be  made  alive,  be- 
Caufe  he  is  head,  as  liniverfally  as  Adam  ;  and  all  are 
tnade  alive  as  extenfively,  elfe,  it  could  not  be  even 
Jq.  But  every  man  in  his  own  order,  Chrijl  the  Jirjl 
fruits ;  the  head,  the  firft  born  among  the  many  bre- 
thren, thatm^^l  things  he  might  have  the  pre-eminence, 
the  firft  begotteii  from  the  dead,  the  prince  of  the 
kings  of  the  earth,  unto  him  that  loVed  us,  cScc.  Af- 
ter that,  they  thatarb  Christ's  at  his  coming. 

If  we  inquire  v/ho  are  they  ?  it  may  be  anfwered, 
there  are  rnany  among  thofe  that  are  Christ's,  who 
are  called  the  firft  fruits  unto  God  and  the  lamb,  as 
■we  read  in  the  Revelations,  a  kind  of  firft  fruits  of  his 
Creatures,  as  James  expreffes  it,  fuch  as  have  been 
fet  apart  by  Jesus  Christ  according  to  the  good 
pleafure  of  his  v»?ill,  to  bear  witnefs  to  his  name,  truth 
and  ways  before  the  world,  to  whom  if  hath  been 
given  in  behalf  of  Christ,  not  only  to  believe  on 
him,  but  alfo  to  fuffer  for  his  fake  \  and  the  Apoftle 
fays,  if  we  fuffer  we  fhall  alfo  reign  with  him.  And 
we  read  of  thofe  that  had  not  worfliipped  the  beaft, 
nor  his  image,  nor  received  his  mark  in  their  forehead, 
nor  in  their  hands,  and  they  lived  and  reigned  with' 
Christ  a  thoufand  years.  Thefe  are  thofe  fpokert 
of  in  Rev.  xiv.  Beginning  the  hundred  forty  and  fouif 
(houfand,  that  John  beheld  ftandingwith  the  lamb  on 
the  mount  Zion,  who  are  exprefsly  called  the  redeem- 
ed y^/'o?;j  among  men,  the  firft  fruits  unto  God  and  the 
lamb.  If  the  apoftle  is  fuppofed  to  fpeak  of  them  as 
they  that  are  Christ's  at  his  coming,  yet  not  to  the 
exclufion  of  thofe  that  are  Christ's,  according  to 
other  fcripturc  texts,  for  certainly  he  knows  how  to 
fulfil  his  promifes  to  his  faithful  witneffes,  without  ex- 
cluding 


o^  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.        i6j 

eluding  the  reft  of  the  purcbafcd  poffefTion,  for  ve 
find  in  the  6th  verfe  of  the  xivth  of  Revelations^  after 
the  mention  and  defcription  of  the  firfl  fruits,  the  hun- 
dred forty  and  four  thoufand  :  Another  angel  fly 
through  the  midft  of  Heaven,  having  the  everlaftinjj 
Gofpel  to  preach  unto  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth* 
even  to  every  nation,  and  kindred  and  tongue  and 
people,  agreeable  to  what  we  read  in  the  feycnth 
chapter,  where  the  hundred  forty  and  four  thoufanc} 
that  were  fealed,  are  fpoken  of ;  We  read  in  the  9th 
verfe,  after  this  I  beheld,  and  lo  a  great  multitude, 
which  no  man  could  number,  of  all  nations  and  kind- 
red, and  people,  and  tongues,  ftood  before  the  throne, 
and  before  the  lamb,  cloatlied  with  white  robes  and; 
pfalms  in  their  hands,  apd  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  fay- 
ing, falvation,  to  our  God,  Sec. 

So  then  if  we  inquire  who  are  Christ's  in  a  more 
extenfive  fenfe,  it  may  be  anfwered,  thofe  the  father 
gave  him  :  The  Jews^  the  Gentiles^  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  Ifaiah  xlix.  5,  6,  the  heathen  his  inheritance, 
the  utmoft  parts  of  the  earth  his  pofTcflion.  Thofe  he 
came  to  fave,  John  iii.  17,  Thofe  for  whom  he  tafted 
death,  Heb.  ii.  9,  Thofe  for  whom  he  gave  himfelf  a 
iranfom,  ift  of  Tim,  ii.  6,  Thofe  for  whom  he  is  the 
propitiation,  John  ii.  2. 

They  are  Christ's.  Yes,  they  are,  even  when  de- 
luded by  fatan,  and  led  away  by  their  own  lufts,  to 
prodigality  and  difobedience  :  The  prodigal  was  a 
fon  when  dead  and  loft;  he  will  not  leave  them  there, 
if  they  are  Christ's,  they  will  rife  ip  their  order  after 
him. 

Then  the  end  :  What  end  }  The  end  divine  wif- 
dom  had  in  view,  through  the  whole  of  fatan's  reign 
as  the  god  of  this  world:  That  Jesus  Christ  fhould 
deftroy  the  works  of  the  devil,  and  put  down  all  rule, 
all  authority  and  power  ;  all  the  rule,  authority  and 
power  in  the  kingdoms  of  this  world,  and  in  the  hearts 
of  men  that  haVe  been  in  oppofition  to  him,  under 

the 


i64        OBJECTIONS  to  th?  EXTENT 

the  god  of  this  world,  the  fpirit  that  now  worketh  ii> 
the  children  of  difobedience  :  For  he  muft  reign  till 
all  his  enemies  be  made  his  foot-ftool. — r-The  lajl  ene- 
viy  piall  be  dejlroyed — Death.  Death  is  the  laft  ene- 
iny,  and  it  fhall  be  deftroyed ;  it  is  a  conquered  enemy 
"^For  he  hath  put  all  things  under  his  feet.  The  Apol- 
tie  in  Hebrews  ii.  8,  fays.  Thou  hajl  put  all  things  in 
JithjeFiion  under  his  feet.  For  in  that  he  put  all  in 
fubjeEtion  under  him^  he  left  nothing  net  put  under  him^ 
But  now  we  fee  not  yet  all  things  put  under  him.  But 
tue  fee  J&fus^  who  was  made  a  little  lower  than  the  an- 
gels^ for  the  fufferings  of  deaths  crowned  with  glory 
and  honour.)  that  he,  by  the  grace  of  God,  Jhould  tafls 
death  for  every  man. 

And  when ^11  things  fnall  be  fubdued  unto  him  ; 
when  this  fhall  take  place,  then  fhall  the  fon  alfo  him- 
felf,  be  fubjed  to  him  that  put  all  things  under  him, 
that  God  may  be  all  in  all.  By  the  Son,  I  under- 
fland,  the  one  new  man  ;  that  Jesus  Christ  makes 
in  himfelf  of  all  nanons,  kindreds,  people  and  tongues ; 
that  in  Adam,  their  firfl  head  had  been  in  a  ftate  of 
rebellion,  and  were  never  as  one  in  fubjedion  before  ; 
never  unitedly  called  God,  Father:  It  feems  to  be 
that  ftate,  that  every  creature  groans  and  travels  in 
pain  together  for  ;  and  not  only  they,  but  thofe  that 
have  the  firft  fruits  of  the  fpirit,  groan  within  them- 
felves,  waiting  for  the  adoption  ;  viz.  the* redemption 
of  our  body.  Romans  viii.  23,  When  the  whole  body 
of  which  Christ  is  the  head,  are  fubjeft  to  him,  are 
redeemed  from  fin  and  fatan ;  it  is  called  th?  adop^ 
tion.  When  Adam,  who  was  the  fon  of  God  ;  called 
the  fon  of  God  in  his  relative  capacity,  as  head  of  the 
human  nature,  turned  prodigal  with  all  the  difobedi- 
ence, (hame,  forrow,  guilt  and  mifery  attendant  there- 
upon, is  recovered  by  the  fccond  Adam  to  favour,  to 
fubjeftion,  and  to  the  adoption  ;  the  fon  himfelf  is 
fubjedto  him  that  put  all  things  under  him.  It  can- 
not 


or  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.       165 

pot  mean  Jesus  Christ,  confidered  in  himfelf ;  he 
C'vcr  did  the  diiiigs  that  pleafed  the  Father,  never  was 
m  a  ftate  of  rebellion  and  dilobediencc  ;  bcfidcs,  jk- 
sus  Christ  fays,  John  x.  30,  /  and  the  Father  are 
one  ;  and  when  he  fays,  all  things  are  put  under  kim^ 
it  is  manifeft  that  he  is  excepted,  which  did.  put  all 
things  under  him  ;  But  the  Son  in  the  above  fenfe, 
V'as  never  in  fubje^ion  before. 

TJiat  God  may  be  all  in  all  :  While  the  rebellious 
fon  plays  the  prodigal,  captivated  by  Satan,  his  will, 
his  various  lufts,  whether  it  be  in  a  way  of  profane- 
pefs,  unclcannefs,  religious  pride,  or  covetouhicfs,  he 
is  purfuiiig  not  the  will  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus, 
concerning  him,  but  appears  to  be  purfuing  his  luUs 
ps  if  they  were  his  all  ;  but  when  brought  home  to 
lubjection,  God  is  all  in  all  ;  Not  God  as  diftinci 
from  Christ,  but  God  in  Christ,  Emanuel,  God 
with  us,  the  juHGoD  and  the  Saviour,  there  is  none 
elfe  :— r-This  view,  is  confident  with  Je^us,  the  fame, 
yefterday,  to  day,  and  forever  :  And  with  what  the 
Apoftle  in  Htb.  i.  to,  11,  12,  quotes  from  Pfalm  cii. 
25,  26)  ^7,  and  applies  to  Jesus  Chuist  ;  And  tho-i!, 
Lord  in  the  beginnings  laid  the  foundation  of  the  earth; 
and  the   heavens  are  the  viork  of  thy    hands.     They 

Jliall perijfi  ;  hut  ^hou  remainefi  ;  and  they  Jli all  -aiax 
old.,  as  a  garpicnt  ;  and  as  a  veflure^  Jhalt  thou  fold 
them  up  ;  and  they  JJiall  be  changed.  Bui  jhou  art 
the  fame,  and  thy  years  ftiall  not  fail. — Arid  with 
Jfaiahyix.  6,  and  Luke  i.  33,  And  he  Piall  reign  over ■ 
the  houfe  of  Jfraelfor  ever-,  And  of  his  kingdom  ther-e 

flail  he  no  end.  To  which  the  worfiiippcrs  of  the  one, 
only  living,  and  true  God,  manifeft  in  Chris-t  Je- 
sus j  will  unitedly  add  dieir  Ame.n,  and  here  fmd  a 
fource  of  eternal  fecurity  and  joy. 

But  to  draw  to  a  clofc — 1  would  take  notice  of 
your  laft  page  ;  but  indeed  it  puts  me  in  mind  of  die 
xcpcatcd  di^-c6lion  in  the  8th  of  Ezckiel.  Turn  thee 

yet 


^66      OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENT 

yet  again  ;  thou /halt  fee  greater  abominations.     Yoi| 
fay,  "  If  it  be  inquired^  why  God  fhould  continue  any 
to  be  the  infiances  of  his  extreme  and  perpetual  ven- 
geance."     In  reply  you  fay,  "  That  the  jvjl  Judge  of 
all  the  earth,  has  an  undoubted  right  to  fupport  the  dig" 
nity   of  his  government.''     And  is  not   the   (Jignity 
of  his  government   effeftyally  fupported  by  the  obe-. 
dience  andfacrifice  of  Jestus  Christ,  who  died  for 
the  ungodly.     Y014  add,  *'  And  not  fufftr  any  con- 
tempt to  be  cajl  upon   him,  by  the  bold  tranfgrefj'ors^ 
againfi  his  holy  will  and  laws  : — How   is  that  to   be 
prevented  according  to  you  ?  It  is  by  making  theni 
examples  of  his  extreme  difpleafure,  and  perpetual 
vengeance  j  that  is,  according  tq  your  own  words, 
page  24,  line  9th  from  the  bottom,  "  As  the  fujfering 
of  punifliment  naturally  excites  an  averfion  in  thefuf- 
ftrer,  to  the  infliElor  of  the  punifliment  ;  and  as  the 
fufferings  and  torments  increafe,  and  go  forward,  the, 
enmity    and  rage  of  thofe  that  undergo  them,,  proceed 
and  increafe  againfi  their  punifher.'^     To  put   them 
in  a  ftate,  where  they  will  eternally  be  increafing  theii: 
enmity  and  rage  againfi;  God  ! — Indeed,  Sir,  I  want 
words  to  exprefs  the  horridnefs  of  your  evil  commu- 
nications.    What  !  A  great  part  of  the  dominions  of 
the  King,  the  Lord  of  hofts,,  to  be  in  eternal   rebell- 
ion, in  increafing  enmity  and  rage  againft  him,  as  the 
only  way  to  prevent  contempt  to  be  caft  upon  him, 
by  bold  tranfgreffors  of  his  laws.     I  believe  it   is  the 
divine  defign,  not  to  fuffer  any  contempt  to  be   caft 
\ipon  him  by  the  bold  tranfgreffors  againft  his  holy 
will  and  laws  ;  but  how  ?  I  fliall  endeavour  from  the 
prophet  Ifaiah,  to  fhew  unto  you  a  more  excellent 
wav  ;  he  lets  uS  know,  that  eveiy  knee  fJiall  bow  to  him. 
Thus  I  believe  the  contempt  of  bold  tranfgreflbrs 
will  ceafe,  being  brought  to  bow  to  him.     See  an  ex- 
ample of  a  bold  tranfgreffor  being  thus  brought  to 
bow  in  Saul,  of  Tarfus,  who  went  to  bind  all  that  call 

on 


6f'THE  G6SPEL  CONSIDERED.         iG^ 

bn  that  Name ;  but  behold  he  prayeth — he  calleth  oft 
the  Name  he  perfccuted  before  :  There  can  be  no  ac- 
ceptable prayer  but  in  that  \s'orthy  name. 

But  I  luppofe  it  will  be  objected,  that  this  bowing 
will  be  the  bowing  of  an  overcome  vi^im  of  jultice^ 
in  order  to  his  confinement,  trial  and  execution.  In 
anfwcr  to  this,  I  would  beg  your  patience,  till  I  again 
repeat  the  paflage  in  the  45th  oflfaiah,  from  the  latter 
part  of  the  2irt  verfe,juft  as  it  (lands,  without  the 
italick  word,  fupplied  by  the  tranflators,  and  make 
fome  obfervations  upon  them.  /  the  Lord^  and  no 
God  elfe  befide  me,  the  jujl  God  and  the  faviour,  none 
hejide  me  :  Look  unto  me,  and  be  yejavcd,  all  the  ends 
oj  the  earth  ;  for  I  God,  and  none  elfe,  I  have  fworn 
by  myjelf — the  word  is  gone  out  of  my  month  in  righte- 
oufnejs,  andJJiallnot  return  that  every  knee Jhall  bow,* 
and  every  tongue  JJiall  Jwear,  Jurely  Jliall  Jay,  in  the 
Lord,have  I righteoujnefs  and  Jirength-^~unio  himJJiall 

come^ 

*  It  is  faid,  that  the  true  reading  of  the  Apoftles  quotation  of 
this  text  in  Philippians  ii.  lo,  is,  that  in  the  name  of  Jeius,  not  at  tiie 
name,  (as  it  is  faid)  that  is  the  true  reading,  and  that  it  is  the  fame 
with  Coloffiahs  iii;  17.  Do  all  ml  he  name  ojf  the  Lord  Jefus.  If  you 
pleafe,  you  nrra}'  look  in  your  Greek  Teftament,  and  fee  if  it  is  not  io, 
Now  when  we  confider  this,  it  obviates  the  obieftion  that  has  been 
railed,  after  this  manner  :  Yes,  every  knee  (hall  bow  at  the  name  of 
Jefus  ;  One  day  they  Ihall  all  be  brought  to  own  him  Lord  ;  to  their 
eternal  confufton,  they  fliall  bow  at  his  name,  as  a  poor  Criminal  at  the 
name  of  the  Judge,  that  is  jult  going  to  pronounce  a  fentence  of  death, 
from  which  there  is  no  appeal,  nor  efcape. 

But  the  text  fays,  Thai  in  the  name  of  Jefus,  every  knee  fhall  bonv^ 
•and  enjery  tongue  confefs  that  Jifus  Chrijl  is  Lord,  to  the  glcry  of  God 
the  Father.  iVs  when  a  poor  woman,  who  hath  no  riches,  no  worthi- 
nefs,  nothing  by  which  ihe  can  attain  any  thing  in  her  own  name,  is 
married  to  a  Prince,  Ihe  is  intitled  to  his  name,  his  perfon,  his  riches, 
his  honour,  and  now  appearing  in  his  name,  (he  is  regarded  as  him. 
So  when  in  the  name  of  Jelus,  every  knee  fhall  bow,  it  is  in  this  view, 
exactly  fmiiliar  to  the  Prophet  Ifaiah,  to  whirh  the  Apcftle  here  al- 
ludes ;  tlie  very  matter  ot  \\ hat  every  tongue  fhall  fwear,  is,  Surely 
fljallfay,  in  the  Lord  ha'te  I  righteoujnefs  andfirerigth,  to  himfjall  come  ; 
Surely  Ihall  fay,  the  mind  Ihall  be  as  latisfied  of  this  truth,  as  ever  any 
perfon  was  of  any  thing  to  which  he  was  called  to  fwear  ;  thefe  things 
being  fo,  we  have  the  joint  evidence  of  both  Tcfta!!i»  nts  to  this  truth, 
confirmed  by  thf  blood  of  the  New  Teftament,  by  the  death  of  the 
tcftatcr,  and  witnefs  in  his  refurretlion  :  So  however  dark,  ignorant, 
miierablc,  weare  in  ourfclves  ;  when  we  come  to  the  knowledge  of 
Jelus  Chrift,  to  bow  in  his  natne,  we  may  iing  ; 

Thou 


168         OBJECTIONS  to  the  EXTENt 

come^  and  all  that  are  incenfed  a-gainfl  him,  Jliall  he 
a/hamcd  :  In  the  Lord  Jliall  all  the  feed  of  Ifrael  be 
jiflified,  and  fJiall  glory. 

I  the  Lord^  and  no  God  Itfide  me  ;  thejvfl  God,  and 
ihefaviour,  none  kejide  me.  The  charatier  of  the  true 
GoD^  is  the  juft  God  and  the  faviour,  there  is  none 
clfe  ;  no  God  befide  ;  then  certainly,  the  jufl  God, 
that  is  not  the  faviour,  is  not  the  only^  living  and  true 
God  ;  but  is  fuch  a  one  as  is  fpoken  of  in  verfe  20, 
A  graven  image,  a  God  that  cannot  fave  : — No  matter 
whether  graven  on  wood,  or  in  the  imagination  of  thofe 
that  pray  unto  a  God  that  cannot  fave  ;  and  as  he  is 
the  fame  yefterday,  to  day  and  forever^  with  whom 
there  is  no  variablenefs,  neither  flladow  of  turning  ; 
confequently,  whenever  any  come  to  the  knowledge 
of  him;  they  know  the  juftGoD  and  the  faviour,  there 
is  none  elfe,  no  God  befide;  and  this  is  his  true  cha- 
racter, whether  w-e  know  it  or  not  : — So  then,  when 
the  earth  fliall  be  filled  \7ith  the  knowledge  of  God^ 
as  we  are  alTured  it  fliall,  it  will  ht  with  knowledge  of 
the  juft  God  and  the  faviour. 

Look  unto  me,  and  he  ye  faved,  all  the  ends  of  the 
earth. — ^Here  is  a  call  or  command,  to  all  the  ends  of 
the  earth,  it  is  his  pleafure  that  it^fliould  be  fo  ;  and 
\vhat  the  Lord  plcafeth,  that  he  doth  :  For  I^God, 
and  none  elfe^  I  have  ftoorn  By  myfelf,  the  word  is  gone 
out  of  my  mouth  in  rightcoufnefs — That  unto  me,  every 
knee  fliall  bow,  and  every  tongue  fhall  fwear.— Then 

follows 

^  Thou  art  our  wlfdcm,  Thou  our  guide. 

Thou  art  our  rightcoufnefs  ; 
We're  blind  and  guilty,  thee  befides. 
Thou  ait  ourholinefs. 

prom  flavery  and  bonds  to  fin,  -    . 

TI40U  us,  alone  can'ft  fiee  ; 
From  captive  (tate,  where  we  have  been, 

Redeiuption  we  fhali  fee. 

For  he  is  macle  to  us,  of  God,  wifdom,  righteoufnefg,  fanfllficatlon 
and  redemption  :  He  hath  a  name  above  every  name,  That  in  the  name 
ofjefus,  enjrry  knee  Jh all  ^oto,  e'very  tongue J'urely  Jlmll Jay  ;  In  the  Lord 
ia've  I  rlghtcoufnefi  a?id jherif'jh  ;  tohimJhallcQme.  So  be  it,  the  Lord 
hafl:en  it,  in  his  time. 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  CONSIDERED.         169 

follows  the  matter  of  the  oath,  that  every  tongue  fiiall 
Iweax,  Surely  Jh  all  fay,  in  ihe  Lord  have  I  righUouf- 
nefs  andjlrength  :  This  being  confidered,  will  invali*. 
date  the  objedlion  ;  for  if  every  tongue  fhall  furely 
fay,  in  the  Lord  have  I  righteoufnefs  and  ftrength, 
they  Iball  furely  be  favcd  by  him,  they  fhall  have  no 
lack  of  rights  oufnefs  nor  Itrength. — Unto  him  fJiall 
come — And  furely  the  comers,  are  the  true  worfhip- 
pers,  they  are  fodefcribed,  under  the  Old  Teftament 
difpcnfation,  as  Hebrews  x.  1,  Could  never  makethe 
comers  hereunto  perfe6l ;  that  is  the  worfliippers  un- 
der that  difpenfation,  and  under  the  New-Teftarnent 
difpcnfation.  In  ift  of  Peter-,  ii.  4,  the  worfhippers 
arc  dcfcribed  by  coming  to  Jesus  Christ,  who  has 
promiredrelt  to  the  weary  and  heavy  laden,  on  their 
coming  to  him,  ili^/ZA^ry  xi.  28,  Coming  is  alfo  fy- 
nonymous  to  believing  :  Ht  that  comcth  unto  mr,  Jliall 
never  hunger^  and  helhat  bclieveth  on  me^Jliall  never 
thirjl.  So  then,  in  this  view,  when  it  isfaid,  unto  him 
Jhall  come,  it  intends  they  fliall  be  worfhippers  of  him, 
believing  on  his  name. 

And  all  that  are  incevfed  againji  him,  JJiall  he  a- 
Jhamed — Who  have  been  incenled  againft  him  ? 
Surely  all,  Ifaiah  liii.  3,  He  was  not  dejpijed  and  re* 
jecled  of  men  ;  He  was  dtjpijed,  and  we  e^eemed  him 
not — Surely,  you  and  I  have  been  incenfed  againSt 
him,  and  it  is  high  time  for  us  to  be  afliamed  of  the 
carcaffes  of  our  whoredoms  and  deteftable  things — it 
is  time  for  us,  with  our  fiftcrs,  Sodo7n,  Samariah  and 
Jerujaltm,  to  be  afhamed  and  confounded,  and  never 
open  our  mouths  any  more,  becaule  of  our  fhame  ; 
when  he  hath  revealed  himfelf  in  Christ,  pacified  to- 
"Wards  us  for  all  that  we  have  done. 

In  the  Lord  Jhall  all  the  feed  of  Ifrael  he  jvfifed, 

end  fliall  glory.  By  Ifrael  I  underftand  Jesus  Christ. 

Who  are  his  feed  ?  Thofe  that   are    bleffed  in   him  ; 

that  is  all  the  nations  of  the  earth.  Gen.  xxii.  18, — 

X  Pfalm 


1  ^o      OBJECTIONS  TO  the  EXTENT,  ^C. 

Pfalm  xxlL-  27,  All  the  ends  of  the  world  Jliall  rc^ 
member  and  tarn  unto  the  Lord  ;  and  all  the  kind- 
reds 0/  the  nd'tions  piall  worfliip  before  thee  ;  for  the 
kingdom  is  the  Lord's^  and  he  the  governor  among  the 
nations  :  Afeed  Jliall  ferve  hh.i  ;  it  Jliall  he  accounted 
to  the  Lord  for  a  generation  ;  they  Jliall  come  dnd  de- 
clare his  fighteoijiiefs  unto  a  people  that  Jliall  be  born, 
that  he  hath  done.  The  chofen  feed  that  in  every  age 
are  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  hinijarea  fpecimen, 
an  earned,  the  firft  fruits  unto  God  and  the  larnb,  and 
are  chofen  for  this  end,  as  we  itiay  fee  in  the  firft  of 
Ephefians,  fVom  the  beginning  ta  the  10th  vcrfe  ;  See 
verfe  5'thj  Having  predejlinated  us  unto  the  adoption  of 
children  by  Jefus  Cliriji,  to  himjelj,  according  to  the 
good  pie af lire  of  his  will,  to  the  prafe  of  the  glory  of 
his  grace.-  Verfe  gth.  Having  made  known  unto  us 
the  7nyflery  of  his  -will  according  to  his  good  pleafure, 
which  he  hath  purpofed  in  himfel^;  For  this  end,  verfe 
3  0th,  That  in  the  difpenfation  of  the  fidlnefs  of  time s^ 
he  might  gather  together  m  one,  all  things  in  Chriji,- 
both  which  are  in  Heaven,  and  which  are  on  earth  in 
hm. 

This  being  the  cafe,  way  is  made  to  call  upon  "  all 
the  human  race,  ds  we  are  required,  to  fcrve  Jehovah 
oar  Lord,  our  God  and  judge,  with  fear,  and  rejoice 
with  treiTibHng,  and  feafonably  repent  and  give  glory 
to  God  in  Christ  Jesus  ;"  not  as  you  exprels  it, 
<'  that  we  may  not  be  vexed  with  his  fore  and  per- 
petual difplcafure,"  but  becaufe  he  has  blotted  out,  as 
a  thick  cloud,  our  tranfgreflions,  and  as  a  cloud,  our 
fms,  we  are  called  to  return,  for  I  have  redeemed  thee. 
Jfaiah  xliv.  22. 

But  I  w^ould  further  take  notice  of  another  particu- 
lar you  mention. 

You  fay,  that  the  fame  epithet  is  ufed  for  the  pun- 
ifliment  of  the  wicked,  as  for  the  life  of  the  righteous, 
and  why  muft  a  two-fold  meaning  be  given  to  it  ?" 
Page  22 J  line  14  from  the  top.  The 


INFERENCES.  171 

The  rcafon  I  would  offer,  is  in  the  words  of  the 
Apoftle,  Sin  reigns  to  death-i  hut  grace  retgm  througfp 
righ:coufnefs  to  eternal  life  by  jfefu'S  Ckrijl^  who  fay, 
hecaufe  llive^yejhall  live  alfo  :  But  deaths  zvhich  is 
the  wages  of  Jin,  and  the  extent  of  its  reign  is  to  be  de- 
Jlroyed  andjivallowed  up  in  viBory,  -when  the  Lord 
God,  zuith  his  own  benign  handJJiall  zuipe  tears  from 
all  faces. 

Now,  Sir,  keeping  in  view,  James  v,  19,  20,  If  any 
of  yoxi  do  err  from  the  truth,  and  one  convert  him,  Itt 
him  knozcthat  he  that  converteth  afinner  fromthe  error 
of  his  zuays,  fhall  fave  a  foul  from  death,  and  hide  a 
multitude  of  fins.  As  the  only  way  to  this  end,  I  have 
endeavoured  faithfully  to  difcover  fome  of  your  er- 
rors, from  the  word  of  God  ;  and  as  I  have  no  defign 
to  offend  you,  I  am  not  confciousof  any  thing  to  that 
end  ;  I  reft  in  the  truth  of  that  word,  he  that  rebuk- 
eth  a  man,  afterward Jhall  find  more  favour  than  he 
that  flattereth  with  his  tongue.  So  devoting  ray  labour 
%o  the  honor  and  glory  of  God,  our  Saviour,  to  whom 
be  glory  and  majcfty,  dominion  and  power,  both  now 
and  ever. — AMEN. 

I  fubfcribe  myfelf, 

your  Servant,  for  Jesus  fake, 
SHIPPIE  tOWNSEND. 
Boflon,  January  i,  1783. 


Ui 


INFERENCES. 


PON  refle6ling  on  the  truth  contained  in 
the  foregoing  letter,  there  arifes  to  view  thefe  reflce- 
tions,  asrefulting  therefrom,  viz.  ift,  The  obligations 
to  love  :  2dly,  Submiflion  ;  3dly,  Gratitude  and 
obedience  ;  and  4thly,  Thankfgiving. 

ift.  Love  to  him  who  hath  thus  loved  us.    We  love 
him  becaufe  he  firfl  loved  us  :  God  is  love^  and  he  that 

dzvelleth 


1/2  INFERENCES. 

dwelhth.  in  love,  dwelletk  in  God,  and  God  in 
him ;  and  this  comma^idment  have  roe  from  him,, 
that  he  that  loveth  God,  love  his  brother  aljo  ;  if 
God  fo  loved  us,  we  ought  to  love  one  another.  Haw  ? 
Jesus  Christ  told  his  difciples,  John  xiii.  34,  that 
ye  love  one  another  as  /  have  loved  you  :  How.dodihe 
manifefl  and  we  perceive  his  love  to  us  ?  John  iii.  16. 
Hereby  perceive  we  !he  love  of  God,  becaufe  he  laid 
down  his  life  for  us,  and  we  ought  to  lay  down  lives 
for  the  brethren ;  but  whofo  hath  this  world's  goods,and 
feeth  his  brother  have  need,  and  fliutteth  up  his  bowels 
from  him,  how  dwelleth  the  love  of  God  in  him  ? — • 
When  we  fee  him,  zdIio  was  rjch,f or  our  fakes  become 
j)oor,  that  zue  through  his  poverty,  anight  be  rich,  it 
ought  to  excite  us  to  lay  alide  profpetls  and  endea- 
vours to  lay  up  treaiure  on  earth,  and  to  engage  us 
to  lay  down  thefe  gay  profpetls  of  life,  for  the  bre« 
thren  to  minifter  with  liberality  to  them  ;  to  the  necef- 
fities  of  the  poor  that  are  always  left  with  \is,to  prove 
the  fiBcerity  of  our  love  :  The  poor  ye  have  always 
xvtthyou  ;  and  tohenfoever  ye  tuill,  ye  may  do  them  good  ; 
and  if  our  means  are  fmall,  we  ought  to  ply  the  great- 
er diligence  in  our  callings.  For  this  very  end,  the 
gofpel  motives  are,  ift  of  Thefjalonians,  iv.  11,  12, 
That  ye  fiudy  to  be  quiet,  and  to  do  your  own  bufmefs, 
end  work  with  your  own  hands  ;  that  ye  may  walk  hon- 
ejily  towards  them  that  are  without,  and  that  ye  may 
have  lack  of  no-man. — 2d  epiflle,  3d  ch.  p.  11,  12, 
For  we  hear  there  are  fome  which  walk  diforderly, 
working  not  at  all ;  now  fuch  we  command  and  exhort 
by  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl,  that  with  quietnefs  they  work^ 
and  eat  their  own  bread. — Ephefians  '\Y.2^,But  rather 
let  him  labour,  working  with  his  hands,  the  thing  which 
is  good,  that  he  may  have  to  give  him  that  needcth, 
Thefe  are  gofpel  motives. 

Next  the  gofpel  examples.     We  have  already  hin- 
ted at  the  example   of  Jesus    Christ,   who   went 

about 


INFERENCES  173 

about  doing  good,  healing  die  fick,  relieving  the  at- 
ilifled,  feeding  the  hungry  j  came  not  to  be  miniller- 
cd  unto,  but  to  miniftcr,  and  give  his  life  a  ranfom 
for  many.  We  have  the  example  of  Paul,  ABs  xx. 
34,  Yea,  vonrfelves  know  that  thefc  hands  have  minij'- 
tered  to  my  neccjpties,  and  to  them  that  art  tmth  Wf, 
Then  the  example  of  Paul  and  his  companions,  ill  pf 
Thejfalonians,  ii.  9,  For  ye  remnnber,  brethren^  our 
labour  and  travel ;  for  laboicring  night  and  day^  he- 
caufe  ive  would  not  be  chargeable  to  any  of  you,  wc 
preached  unto  you  ihegofpelof  Cod.  And  his  exhor- 
tation to  the  Ephefian  elders,  Atis  xx.  35,  /  hav<i 
JJiezued  you  all  things,  hoto  that  fo  labouring  you  ought 
to  Jupport  the  weak,  and  to  remember  the  words  of  the 
Lord  JefiiSi  how  he  f aid  it  is  more  blcffcd  to  give  than 
to  receive^ 

Forfhame  let  none  under  fuch  obligatlonsas  divine 
love  lays,  with  fuch  examples,  motives,  precepts  and 
exhortations,  excufe  thcmfelves  for  want  of  abilii}', 
while  they  live  in  idlenefs  ;  and  let  every  one  thus 
obhgated,  dire6led  and  exhorted,  remember  we  are  to 
love  one  another,  faith  jESUs,fl'j  J  have  loved  you.  His 
love  fought  us  as  well  as  faved  us  :  Our  duty  then  is 
to  feek  out  the  obje6ls  of  diftrefs,  agreeable  to  the 
chara6ler  of  the  virtuous  woman, the  fpoufe  of  Cn  r  i  st, 
Prov.  xxxi.  20,  She  fpreadeth  out  her  hand  to  the 
poor,  :   Yea,  /lie  rcacheth  forth  her  hands  to  the  needy. 

Again:  Jksus  Ckris  r  loved  us  when  enemies — 
Rom.  v.  10.  Then  'tis  our  duty  to  love  our  enemies, 
and  to  do  goodtothemthathate  us,  and  pray  for  them 
that  defpitefuily  ufe  us.  Prov.  xxiv.  21,  If  thine  ene- 
my he  hungry.,  give  him  bread  to  eat ;  and  if  he  be 
thirjly,  give  him  water  to  drink.  Again  :  Jksus 
Christ  having  loved  his  own,  wAzrA  were  in  theworld^ 
needing  the  conftant  exercife  of  his  love,  in  his  care 
of  and  kindnefe  to  them,  he  loved  them  to  the  end. 
Aiid  would  we   loye  one.  another  according  to  his 

rule. 


J74  INFERENCE  S. 

rule,  as  I  have  loved  you,  we  mufl  lattend  to  the  ex- 
hortation-~G^/.  vi.  9.  2d  of  TheJJ'.  iii.  13,  But  ye, 
brethren,  be  not  weary  in  well  doing. 

2dly.  Our  obligations  of  fubmifTion  to  the  will 
of  God  our  Saviour  in  what  he  alots  to  us  in  his  pro- 
vidence. When  we  confider  God  is  love,  and  has  a 
defign  of  love  in  all  his  difpenfations  towards  us;  if 
in  his  providence,  vanity  is  wrote  on  our  outward  ef- 
tate  we  can't  be  brought  fo  low,  as  he  who  was  rich 
and  became  poor  in  love  to  us  for  our  fakes;  and  it 
is  ordered  by  his  wifdom,  who  knows  what  is  moft 
needful  to  fubdue  our  covctoufnefs  and  fondnefs  for 
a  hope  in  this  life,  and  our  pride  of  living  indepen- 
dent, &;c. 

If  we  imagine  our  honour  is  flruck  at,  in  fome 
things,  that  w^e  fay,  flefli  and  blood  cannot  hear,  we 
cannot  be  fo  abated,  as  he,  who  being  in  the  form  of 
God,  and  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with 
God,  but  m^de  himfelfof  no  reputation,  was  defpif- 
ed  and  rejeCled,  derided,  blindfolded,  buffeited,  ipit, 
upon,  and  fuffered  ignominy,  till  he  could  fay,  as 
Pfalm  69,  20,  Reproach  hath  broken  my  heart — yet 
he  failed  not,  nor  was  difcouraged,  but  went  through 
his  undertaking  till  he  could  fay,  it  is'  finijhed  ;  and 
hath  in  his  wifdom  and  love,  ordered  this  very  cir- 
cumftance  to  fubdue  our  pride,  and  teach  us  our  ho- 
nor lies  in  denying  ourfelves  and  following  him,  in 
conformity  to  his  example  of  mceknefs,  who  when 
he  was  reviled,  reviled  not  again.  And  to  his  pre- 
cepts, and  to  the  precepts  of  his  Apoftles  :  But  I  fay 
unto  you  that  ye  rejijl  not  evil :  but  if  any  man  fmite 
thee  on  the  one  cheek  turn  to  him  the  other  alfo  :  Re- 
compence  to  no  man  evil  for  evil  ;  be  not  overcome  of 
evil,  but  overcome  evil  with  good. 

If  he  ispleafed  to  bereave  us  of  relations,  even 
thofe  that  had  the  chief  place  in  our  affections,  it  is 
ordered  in  wifdom  and  love  by  him,  who   gave   his 

own 


Inferences.  ij^- 

ownlife  aranfom  for  us,  and  knows  what  we  need 
to  cure  us  of  idolizing  them,  and  to  fhew  us  that  he 
alone  is  our  chief  good — (a  perfon  who  had  repeat- 
edly been  bereaved,  upon  inquiring  what  have  I 
done,  that  I  inu(l.  be  fo  afflided,  had  his  mouth  (top- 
ped by  this  reply — what  have  you  not  done?)  for  eve- 
ry Eabel  tower  we  build  upon  our  children,  to  make 
us  a  name  ;  every  fpreading  gourd,  that  our  ima'^i- 
nations  bring  up  in  a  night,  of  which  we  are  exceed- 
ing glad->-our  towering  imaginations  of  future  great^ 
nefs,  and  worldly  happinefs  in  our  relations,  are  all 
known  to  him,  and  he  fees  when  it  isneceffarytotake 
them  from  us ;  who  corrects  us  for  our  profit,  that 
we  might  be  partakers  of  his  holinefs.  If  our  trou- 
bles were  greater  than  thefe,  and  we  have  living  af- 
fli6lions,  and  of  long  continuance  in  our  relations, 
there  is  a  hiftory  in  Mark  5th,  from  ift  to  the  19th, 
defigned  for  the  confolation  of  fuch  relations.  Go 
home  to  thy  friends^  and  tell  them  how  great  things 
Jesus  hath  done  for  thee,  and  had  CG'inp->Jfion  on  thee. 
He  is  the  fame,  and  has  the  fame  defigns  in  view  in 
his  difpenfations. 

The  ficknefs  of  Lazarus  was  for  the  glor)'  of  God, 
that  the  fon  of  God  might  be  glorified  thereby — This 
man  was  born  blind,  that  the  works  of  God  fiiould 
be  made  manifeft  in  him  ;  yea,  a  tribute  of  glory  is 
raifmg  to  him  who  caft  out  fcvcn  Devils  from  Mary 
Magdalen,  and  fet  the  adulterefs  free,  with  direftion 
to  go  and  fin  no  more.  If  I  could  paint  out  greater 
affliction  than  any  I  have  mentioned,  it  mufl  be  the 
diftreffed  cafe  of  poor  prodigal  children,  from  theirfa- 
ther's  houfes,ladencd  with  guilt,  opprefled  with  fhame, 
afflided  with  a  itubborn  loathnefs  to  return,  pinched 
with  hunger,  going  with  reluftant  ftcps  towards  the 
place  where  the  fwine  are  fed,  to  look  for  relief  from 
thence — Even  this  painting  hath  a  bright  fide,  when 
we  confider  that  in  all  the  diflrefs  into   which  their 

wilful 


175  i  i\^  F  E  H  E  N  C  £  S. 


^'ilfiil,  fliamcful  folly  hath  plunged  tliem  ;  there  u  a 
defign  ofloveinover-rulingall  thismifery,asameansio 
bring  them  to  theuifelves  and  return  them  to  their  father's 
houre;What,thoughthey  may  notyet  have  come  to  this 
length,  and  are  rclolvedly  guarding  againft  this  depth 
of  diftrefs  and  poverty,  that  hath  been  defcribed  ;-^ 
though  they  choofe  to  continue  in  the  way  leading 
thereunto  ;  there  is  this  confolation,  that  every  knee 
ihall  bow,  and  the  lofUncfs  of  maiiJJiallbe  hov^'cd  down, 
and  the  haughtinej's  of  vianJJidll  be  made  lorv^  and  the 
Lord  alone  Jliall  be  exa.lied,  and  the  idols  he  JJiall  ut- 
terly aholifh. 

I  would  further  fay,  we  are  the  property  of  our 
Creator,  Preferver  and  Redeemer,  and  obliged  to 
glorify  him  in  our  fpirits,  and  bodies,  which  are  his  ; 
then  furely,  we  arc  not  our  own,  nor  at  our  own  dif- 
pofal,  and  it  is  our  indifpenfible  duty  to  keep  the 
place  he  allots,  and  do  what  he  bids  us,  till  he  calls 
us  away.  To  fuppofe  our  lives  at  our  o\%\\  difpofal, 
is  a  ftrong  delulion  to  believe  a  lye  ;  and  as  this  de- 
iufion  has  obtained  in  the  minds  of  thofe  that  have 
profelTed  a  high  fenfe  of  honour  and  honefty  in  their 
dealings,  among  men,  I  would  endeavour  to  (hew, 
ift.  that  it  is  the  moft  contemptible  fentiment  that 
can  be  embraced — ■2d.  it  is  the  moft  knavifli  and  dif- 
honeft,  beyond  high-way  robbery — sdly.  it  is  the 
moft  ungrateful  : 

ift.  The  moft  contemptible,  not  only  as  it  tends 
to  brand  the  name  and  memory  of  a  man  from  age 
to  age,  among  men,  but  firft,  as  it  is  the  evidence  of 
munnuring  and  difcontent  with  the  allotments  of  a 
wife  and  kind  providence,  it  is  a  delufion  that  has  its 
rife  from  enmity  to  God. — 2dly.  As  it  tends  to  a 
foolifli,  fruidefs  atttempt  to  run  away  from  our  right- 
ful owner  ;  I  fay,  fruitlefs  becaufe  it  is  impoflible,  for 
Jj  I  afcend  unto  heaven^  thou  art  there  :  If  I  make 
7}iy  bed   in  hcll^  behold  thou  art  there :  If  I  fay,  ths 

darknefs 


I  N  F  E  R  E  N^  C  E  S,  177 

darknefs piall  cover  me^  even  the  night  Jhall  he  light 
about  me :  yea,  the  darknefs  hideth  not  from  thee,  but 
the  night  fnneth  as  the  day  ;  the  darknefs  and  the  light 
both  alike  to  thee — And  what  is  more  foolifh,  and 
contemptible  than  a  runaway,  who  finally  runs  right 
into  the  hands  of  his  mailer. 

2dly.  It  is  the  moft  knavifh,  as  it  tends  to  an 
attempt  to  rob  Gqd  at  once  of  all  his  property  that 
is  in  our  power. 

3dly.  It  is  the  moft  ungrateful,  as  it  is  dire^ly  con- 
trary to  all  that  love,  grace  and  mercy  that  is  made 
manifcit  in  the  golpel,  and  to  our  duty  coufequent 
thereupon  ;  For  the  grace  of  God,  which  hringeth 
falvation  unto  all  men,  hnth  appeared  ;  teaching  us, 
that  denying  ungodlinef  and  wordly  lujls,  we  JJionld 
live  foberly,  righteoufly  and  godly  in  this  prefent  world 
— looking  for  that  hh:ffe.d  hope,  even  the  glorious  ap- 
pearing of  the  Great  God,  even  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  who  gave  himfelf  for  us,  that  he  might  re- 
deem us  from  all  iniquitv,  and  purify  unto  himfelf,  a 
peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works. 

3dly.  A  lenfe  of  obligation  to  gratitude  and  obe- 
dience, refults  from  the  behef  of  this  truth  ;  whoev- 
er knows  it,  knows  they  are  not  their  o^yn,  but 
bought  with  a  price,  and  under  undifputable,  indifpcnfa- 
blc,cternalobligations,loglorify  God  in  their  fpiritand 
bodies  which  are  his.  Then  lurely  we  ought  always 
to  keep  our  eye  on  his  will,  as  our  rule  in  all  ouj:  ac- 
tions, and  look  on  our  interefl,  our  time,  and  all  our 
talents  as  his,  and  at  his  fervice,  and  be  frequently 
inquiring  of  ourfelyes,  whether  what  we  fpeak  and 
do,  is  agreeable  to  the  will  of  God  in  Christ  Je- 
sus, concerning  us,  agreeable  to  the  exhortation, 
Colofjians,  iii.  17,  Whaifoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed, 
do  all  m  the  name  of  t/u  Lord  J^fi^s-  And  when 
we  dtl  contrary  thereto,  w^  are  guilty  of  bafeingra- 
iitu4e» 


178  INFERENCE  S. 

What  is  worfe  than  to  call  a  man  ungrateful  ? 
Yet,  black  as  it  is,  we  are  guilty  of  it  every  time  we 
hearken  to  the  temptations  of  Satan,  and  walk  after 
our  own  lufts.  What  can  be  conceived  of,  fo  un- 
grateful, as  when  the  grace  of  God,  that  bringeth 
falvation  to  all  men,  hath  appeared,  inftead  of  heark- 
ening to  what  it  teaches,  men  curfe,  and  damn  one 
another,  bite  and  devour  one  another  ? 

When  he  feeds  and  clothes  us,  the  tendency  of  our 
hearts  is,  to  make,  empty  the  foul  of  the  hungry^  and 
cauje  the  drink  of  the  thirfy  to  fail,  devifing  wicked 
devices,  with  lying  words,  even  when  the  needy  fpeaketh 
right.  Ifaiah,  xxxii.  6,  7.  O  our  ingratitude !  The 
ox  knoweth  his  owner,  and  the  afs  his  maflers  crib  ; 
lut  my  people  doth  not  know,  Ifrael  doth  nat  confider. 
JJaiah,  i.  ^.  But  is  there  hope  for  us  ?  Yes;  iftof 
Johi,  iii.  5.  And  ye  know  that  he  was  manifefl  to  take 
away  our  fins,  ift  of  John,  iii.  8.  For  thispurpofe  the 
fon  of  God  was  manifefled,  that  he  might  defiroy  the 
works  of  the  Devil.  Well  may  we  cry  out  with  the 
prophet  Micah,  vii.  18,  19.  Who  is  a  God  like  unto 
thee,  that  par doneth  iniquity,  and  paffeth  by  the  tranf- 
greffion  of  the  remnant  of  his  heritage  ?  he  retaineth 
not  his  anger  forever,  becaufe  he  delighteth  in  mercy  : 
He  will  turn  again,  he  will  have  compaffion  upon  us  ; 
he  will  fubdue  our  iniquities  ;  and  thou  will  cafl  all 
their  fins  into  the  depths  ofthefea.  Yea,  faith  God, 
by  the  prophet  7/fl;mA,  chap.  xliv.  22,  I  have  blotted 
out  as  a  thick  cloud,  thy  tranfgreffions,  and  as  a  cloud 
thy  fins,  and  calls  upon  us  to  return,  for  I  have  re- 
deemed thee. 

Surely  then  we  are  called,  4thly,  to  thankfgiving. 
Jfaiah,  xliv.  23.  Sing,  0  ye  heavens,  for  the  Lord 
hath  done  it  :  Shout  ye  lower  parts  of  the  earth  : 
Break  forth  into  fnging  ye  mountains,  0  forejl,  and 
every  tree  therein  :  For  the  Lord  hath  redeemed  Ja- 
cobj  and  glorified  himfelf  m  Ifrael, 

This 


INFERENCES.  179 

This  is  a  fubjcft  that  would  lead  our  minds  from 
eternity,  to  eternity,  back  to  the  fource  and  fountain 
of  mercy,  which  the  Apoftle  John  fpeaks  of,  when 
he  fays,  God  is  love  ;  and  forward  to  the  fruit  of  the 
purchafe  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  reward  of  his  righ- 
teoufnefs,  to  the  hope  laid  up  in  heaven,  to  what  eye 
hath  notfeen,  nor  ear  hath  heard,  nor  hath  entered 
into  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive  :  For  which  all  the 
difpenfations ,  of  providence  are  over-ruled  in  the 
prefent  life  ;  which,  if  rightly  underftood,  would  lead 
the  mind  to  an  underftanding  of  that  exhortation  to 
the  difciples,  ill  of  Thejf'alonians,  v.  19,  In  every 
thing  give  thanks,  for  this  is  the  will  of  God  in  Chrifl 
Jefus,  concerning  you.  But  as  this  opens  a  large 
held,  and  I  have  already  been  more  lengthy  than  I 
intended,  I  fhall  clofe  with  that  fhort,  comprehenfive 
exhortation,  we  have  in  Pfalm,  cxvii,  0  praife  the 
Lord  all  ye  nations ;  Praife  him  all  ye  people,  for  his 
merciful  kindnefs  is  great  towards  us,  and  the  truth 
of  the  Lord  for  ever  :  Praife  ye  the  Lord, 


SECTION 


\ 


SECTION      VI. 

To  the  Singing  Choir,  by  whom  I  have  beenfeveril 
times  entertained  as  an  hearer* 

BELOVED   YOUNG  MEN, 

VV  HEN  we  take  a  view  of  what  we  are  irt 
ourfelves,  in  our  fallen  nature,  and  of  the  darknefs, 
diftrefs  and  mifery  we  are  expofed  to  from  the  dread 
apprehenfion  of  the  execution  of  the  curfe  of  the 
law  upon  us  as  breakers  of  it,  that  we  can  have  no 
gleam  of  hope  from  ourfelves  ;  and  are  enabled  to  fee 
our  deliverance  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  took  our  na- 
ture into  union  with  himfelf,  a-s  our  head,  our  fecond 
Adam  ;  and  being  made  a  curfe  for  us,  hath  deliver- 
ed us  from  the  curfe  of  the  law,  hath  foughtand  faved 
our  loll  nature,  and  fent  the  glad  tidings  to  every  crea- 
ture. So  that  though  we  have  not  any  ground  of 
hope  in  or  from  ourfelves,  the  fcriptures  fet  before 
us  the  Lord  [esus  Christ^  who  is  our  hope,  as  ab- 
folutely  all-fufficient  for  us  in  our  charafter  as  loft, 
deftitute,  ungodly  finnefs ;  for  when  w6  were  without 
flrength,  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly.  When  this 
is  underfiood  as  the  only,  and  at  the  fame  time  as  the 
all-fufficient  hope,  how  muft  our  minds  filled  with 
gratitude  burft  forth  into  fongs  of  praife  !  How  cal- 
culated is  it  to  ravifh  our  hearts,  to  hear  the  giCacioUs 
calls  to  all  the  earth,  and  every  part  of  it,  with  fuch 
as  go  to  fea,  and  all  that  are  therein,  to  celebrate  his 
praife.  What  a  divine  claim  is  hereby  laid  upon 
every  one  of  us,  to  love  him  who  firft  loved  us,  and 
to  love  one  another  as  he  hath  given  commandment. 
That  a  fenfe  of  thefe  things  may  abide  on  our  minds 
whenever  we  join  to  fing  the  praifes  of  God,  and  that 
it  may  excite  us  fteadily  to  aim  at  a  converfation  be- 
coming the  gofpel,  is  the  hearty  wifh  of  your  very 
obliged  friend,  who  prefents  you  the  following  view 
of  a  moft  auguft  Singing-Choir. 
Bojlon,  May  lo,  1793.  A  VIEW 


^mJi.^  ■■■■«j>i-i-um.j!--j*im»jii» 


A  UNIVERSAL  CALL  to  THANKS- 
GIVING. 


A  ' univ erf al  Call  to  THANKscivixoyo?-  the  glad  tid- 
ings of  the  Gospel  thus  evidenced  and  promulgated 
in  a  View  of  a  mofl  Magnificent  Singing- 
Choir,  prefented  to  the  Singing  Societies  of 
every  denominaiio7t,  and  to  all  lovers  of  Music. 

Pfalm  xlvi'u  7,  S'ingyepra}fes  -with  u?ideijlanding, 

Solomon  Son^;;,  ii.  12,  The  time  of finving  is  come. 

Pfalm  cxlvlii.  II,  13,13,  Kings  of  toe  tarth  and  all  ■people,  pr'mcpS 
Hnd  all  judges  of  the  eurth,  both  young  men  and  maidens^  old  men  und 
children— let  them  ^raife  the  name  oftheLoKu. 

JriAViNG  been  fundry  times  admitted  to  a 
Singing-Choir  as  a  hearer,  my  thoughts  extend  bcr 
yond  the  bounds  of  that  fmall  Ibciety,  to  view  a  move 
extenfive  one.  This  turned  my  thoughts  to  the 
•Pfalms,  to  find  the  chief  mufician  ;  and  finding  above 
forty  of  them  dedicated  to  the  chief  mufician,  I  found 
in  a  tranllation  printed  in  1613,  they  were  infcribcd 
to  him  that  excelleth. 

A  learned  writer  endeavours  to  (how  from  the 
Hebrew  words,  that  thefe  Pfahns  are  dedicated  to 
Jesus  Christ.  It  is  he  that  excelleth,  or  is  moft 
excellent.  0  Lord,  our  Lord,  how  excellent  is  thy 
name  in  all  the  earth  !  In  him  I  find  the  head,  the 
dirc6lor  and  preceptor  of  the  Choir  of  mufick  I  was 
looking  after. 

I  would  next  endeavour  to  find  of  whom  it  is  Com- 
pofed,  and  here  it  may  be  faid  none  arc  to  join  there- 
in but  fuch  as  he  calls  ;  and  all  that  he  calls  are  made 
welcome,  and  cannot  be  excluded.  Who  then  doth 
he  call  ? 

Anfwcr, 


j82  a  universal  call 

Anfwer.  AH  the  earth,  Pfalm,  Ixvi.  i,  4,  Mah 
tt  joyful  noife  unto  the  Lord,  all  the  earth,  all  the  earth 
Jhall  worjliip  thee,  andfiiig  unto  thee,  they  piall  fing 
unto  thy  name.  Pfahn  xcviii.  4.  Make  a  joyful  noife 
unto  the  Lord,  all  the  earth  ;  make  a  loud  nofe,  and 
rejoice  and  fmg  prafe.  Pfalm  c.  1,  Make  a  joyful 
noife  unto  the  Lord  all  ye  lands.  Come  before  his  pre- 
fence  withfinging. 

But  not  the  earth  alone,  he  calls  Heaven  and  earth, 
faying,  Pfalm  Ixix.  34,  Let  the  Heavens  and  earth 
praife  him.  Ifaiah,  xliv.  23,  Sing,  0  heavens,  for 
the  Lord  hath  done  it.  Shout  ye  lower  parts  of  the 
earth,  break  forth  intofinging  ye  mountains  ;*  0  fo- 
Tffl,  and  every  tree  therein.  So  that  all  the  earth  is 
not  only  called,  but  left  any  from  their  local  fituation, 
orparticularcircumftances,  fhould  imagine  themfelves 
not  included,  it  is  faid,  Ifaiah  xlii.  10,11,12,  Sing 
unto  the  Lord  a  new  fong,  his  praife  to  the  end  of  the 
earth.  Ye  that  go  down  to  the  fea,  and  all  that  is 
therein,  the  ifles,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof.  Let  the 
tuildernefs  and  the  cities  thereof,  the  villages  that 
Xfdar  doth  inhabit.  Let  the  inhabitants  of  the  rock 
flng,  let  them  fhout  from,  the  top  of  the  mountains,  let 
them  give  glory  to  God,  and  declare  his  praife  in  the 
ijlands. 

When  we  view  the  various  expreffions  here  ufed, 
can  we  find  one  exception  ?  And  if  all  without  ex- 
ception are  thus  called  upon  to  praife  God  for  the 
redemption  by  Jesus  Christ,  included  in  the  new 
fong  all  are  included  in  that  redemption  that  Jesus 
hath  obtained  as  the  head  of  every  man,  who  when  he 
was  lift  up  drew  all  men  unto  him  ;  and  ta/ied  death 

for 

*  Oforejl,  and  e-very  tree  therein.  The  fruit  trees  aie  not  men- 
tioned ;  the  foreft  trees  are  unfruitful.  If  the  defign  of  the  Holy- 
Spirit  is  to  call  on  every  deftitute  creature  that  hath  no  ground  of  en- 
couragement in  himfelf,  to  fing  the  praifes  of  him  wno  hath  faid, 
H^fea^  xiv.  8,  From  me  is  thy  fruit  found.  The  grace  appears  how 
great.  Which  fhews  our  obligations  to  fhew  forth  his  praife  by  our 
fpeech,  our  fongs,  and  our  whole  conduct. 


TO  THANKSGIVING.  183 

hr  every  man.     Dying  even  for  the  ungodly,  arid  ri' 
Jing  again  for  our  jujlijication. 

For  we  cannot  fuppofe  that  any  are  called  upon  to 
praife  God  for  what  they  are  forever  excluded  from, 
without  the  moft  diflionourable  thoughts  of  God  that 
can  be  conceived  of. 

By  thefe  various  expreffions  we  fee  the  Choir  is 
compofed  of  the  heavens  and  earth,  every  part  of 
earth,  the  ends,  the  lower  parts,  the  mountains,  the 
inhabitants  of  the  rock,  the  wildernefs,  the  iflands, 
they  that  go  to  fea,  and  all  that  is  therein  :  And  the 
Lord  at  the  head  of  them. 

We  may  next  inquire  how  the  C4ioir  is  to  be  era- 
ployed,  or  exercifed  under  the  diredion  of  him  that 
excelleth. 

They  are  to  make  a  joyful  noife  unto  the  Lord, 
fing,  unto  the  Lord,  a  new  fong,  and  his  praife  to  the 
end  of  the  earth.  Unto  him  and  his  praife  ;  there  it 
is  to  centre.  They  are  to  fhout,  to  give  glory  to 
God,  and  declare  his  praife. 

.  The  next  inquiry,   why  they  are  to  be  thus  exer- 
cifed ? 

We  have  the  anfwer  in  Pfalm,  xviii.  2,  and  Ifaiah 
xliv.  22,  The  Lord  hath  made  known  his  falvatioit, 
his  righteoufnefs  hath  he  openly  Jliewed  in  the  fight  of 
the  heathen.  I  have  blotted  out  as  a  thick  cloud  thy 
tranfgreffions,  and  as  a  cloud  thy  fins.  Return  unto 
mc,  for  I  have  redeemed  thee. 

Thus  wc  fee  for  what  we  are  to  rejoice,  and  fing 
praife,  namely,  the  Lord's  falvation,  his  righteouf- 
nefs, the  blotting  out  of  tranfgrelTion,  the  work  of  re- 
demption, which  leads  to  the  next  inquiry. 

What  is  the  new  fong  ? 

Here  it  may  be  faid,  the  Pfalmift  fpcaking  of 
Christ  in  Pfalm'  xl.  3,  brings  him  in  faying,  and  he 
hath  put  a  new  fong  into  my  mouth,  praife  unto  our  God. 
His  being  heard  and  brought  up  out  of  an  horrible 

pit, 


iS4  A  UNIVERSAL  CALL 

pit,  and  miry  clay,  and  his  feet  fet  on  a  rock,  and  his 
goings  eftablifhed,  and  the  new  fong  put  in  his  mouth, 
is  the  foundation  for  the  new  fong  to  be  fung  by  the 
united  Choir,  who  arc  five  times  called  upon  to  fing 
a  new  fong  to  the  Lord,  brought  to  view  in  the  new 
and  living  way,  by  the  new  covenant  or  Teflament 
inforced  by  the  death  of  the  teftator. 

In  Rev.  V.  9,  we  read  of  tli^  new  fong  that  was  fung 
by  the  four  living  Creatures,  and  four  and  twenty  el- 
ders, to  the  Lamb,  which  was,  thou  art  wonhy^  for 
thou  "jjaji  Jlam^  and  hajl  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy 
bloody  out  of  every  nation^  and  kindred^  and  tongue^ 
and  people^  and  haji  made  us  to  our  God  kings  and 
priejh^  and  we  Jhall  reign  on  earth.  And  Rev.  xiv. 
3,  The  hundred  forty  and  four  thoufand  fung.,  as  it 
Tjuere  a  new  fong  before  the  throne,  and  before  the  four 
living  creatures,  and  the  ciders,  and  no  man  could 
learn  that  fong,  but  the  hundred  forty  four  thoufand 
which  were  redeemed  from  the  earth. 

Perhaps  that  part  of  the  fong,  "  and  haft  made  us 
to  our  God  kings  and  priefts,  and  we  fliall  reign  on 
earth,"  may  be  peculiar  to  thole  defcribed  as  the  fruits 
to  God  and  the  Lamb,  who  were  redeemed  out  of 
every  kindred  and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation, 
when  God  vifited  the  nations  to  take  out  of  them  a 
people  for  his  name  :  The  great  multitude  which  no 
man  could  number,  of  all  nations,  and  kindreds,  and 
tongues,  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and 
have  wafhed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  . 
blood  of  the  Lamb,  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  faying, 
Salvation  to  our  God  which fitteth  on  the  throne,  even 
to  the  Lamb. 

We  have   ten   thoufand  times  ten   thoufand,  ancji 
thoufands  of  thoufands  of  angels,  faying  with  a  loucj 
voice,  worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  wasflain,  to  receive 
power  and  riches,  and  wifdom  and  jlrength,  and  hon- 
our and  glory,  and  blejfing.     In  Rev.  v,  i^,  Johnfaw 

the 


TO  THANKSGIVING.  185 

\he  whole  Choir  joined  in  one.  And  every  creature 
which  is  in  heaven,  and  on  the  earth,  and  under  the 
earth,  andfuch  as  are  in  the  fea,  and  all  that  are  in 
them,  heard  I,  fay,  hlejjing  and  honour,  and  glory,  and 
power,  unto  him  that  fitteth  on  the  throne  and  to  the 
Lamb  for  ever  and  ever. 

Upon  a  review  of  the  extent  of  the  Call  to  join 
herein,  which  of  us  but  muft  wonder  with  great  ad- 
irtiration  ?  Am  I  included  ?  What  I,  at  the  end  af 
the  earth,  in  the  loweft  part  of  it  ?  What  I,  out  of 
fight,  on  the  top  of  the  mountains  ?  I,  that  am  hid  in 
the  rock,  I,  that  go  to  fea,  with  all  that  go  with  me, 
or  were  there  before  ?  And  are  we  that  dwell  on  the 
iflands  to  declare  his  praife  ?  Yes,  in  welcome,  how- 
ever unworthy  in  ourfelves,  by  Jesus  Christ  wc 
may  offer  the  facrifice  of  praife  continually  ;  the 
fruit  of  our  lips,  giving  thanks  to  his  name.  Only 
obfervc  the  call  and  the  welcome  exprefled  in  the 
repetition  of  the  word  Let  five  times  in  the  pafTages 
mentioned.  Let  the  Heavens  and  the  earth  ;  let  the 
wildemefs,  and  the  cities  thereof;  let  the  inhabitant* 
of  the  rock  fing  ;  let  them  fliout  from  the  top  of  the 
mountains  ;  let  them  give  glory  to  God,  and  declare 
his  praife  in  the  iflands.  This  let  is  a  moft  efficacious 
word,  removing  every  hindrance  that  is  caft  in  the 
v^ay,  by  fatan,  fin,  and  law,  which  unite  to  objeft 
againft  finging  the  divine  praifes,  by  terrifying  onr 
confciencics,  and  reprefenting  God,  who  is  love,  to 
be  irreconcilable  hatred,  by  which  we  are  fhut  up 
in  hopelefs  defpair;  which  caufes  us  to  think  that 
thefe  extenfive  expreffions  do  not  really  mean 
what  they  fay.  But  when  the  teftimony  is  believed, 
/  have  blotted  out  as  a  thick  cloud  thy  tranfgrefjionsy 
and  as  a  cloud  thy  fins.  Return  unto  me,  for  I  have 
redeemed  thee  ;  and  we  thus  come  to  underftand  the 
ground  of  this  efficacious  let,  all  thefe  hindrances  are 
removed  ;  and  though  we  cannot  find  encourage, 
A  a  nicni 


1 86  A  UNIVERSAL  GALL,  Sec, 

merit  in  our  own  charader,  we  find  it  in  his.  Bji  him 
therefore  let  us  ojfer  the facrijice  of  praife  continually  ; 
the  fruit  of  our  lips^  giving  thanks  to  his  name.  Con- 
ftrain^d  with  all  our  hearts  to  fing  the  fong  of  Mofes 
and  the  Lamb,  faying,  great  and  marvellous  are  thy 
zoorkSf  Lord  God  Almighty  ;  jujl  and  true  are  thy 
ways^  thou  King  of  faints ;  who  fJiall  not  fear  thee  and 
glorify  thy  name  ?  Similar  to  the  exhortation  in  the 
forementioned  paffage  is  Ifaiah^  let  them  give  glory  to 
God^  and  declare  his  praife  in  the  iflands. 

It  is  undoubtedly  incumbent  on  every  member  of 
this  Univerfal  Choir,  to  make  it  the  ftudy  of  his  life, 
that  his  thoughts,  his  fpeech,  and  the  whole  tenor  of 
his  life  be  devoted  to  the  glory  of  God.  The  incon- 
liftency  of  a  contrary  conduft  is  fo  obvious,  that  it  is 
hoped  that  every  one  whofe  mouth  is  employed  in 
blefling  God,  even  the  Father,  will  moft  determin- 
ately  watch  againfl  profaning  his  name,  or  curfmg 
men  that  are  made  after  the  fimilitude  of  God.  Every 
one's  mind  and  confcience  muft  give  in  to  the  truth 
of  what  the  apoftle  J-ames  fays,  my  brethren^  theft 
things'  ought  not  fo  to  he.  We  praife  him  as  the  juft 
God,  and  the  Saviour.  One  fober  thought  will  fliow 
the  inconfiiftence  of  giving  way  to  the  temptation  that 
would  urge  us  at  every  fret,  with  a  fellow-fervant,  a 
child,  or  neighbour,  to  call  on  God,  to  damn  them  ; 
as  though  the  divine  charafter  was  the  deftroyer,  in- 
ftead  of  the  Saviour.  His  call  is,  look  unto  me,  and 
be  ye  faved ;  his  name  is  Father  and  Redeemer, 
from  everlafting.  How  fliocking  the  thought,  how 
great  the  indignity  offered,  to  call  on  him  to  do  the 
work  of  him,  whofe  name  is  the  deftroyer;  damn  our 
brother  who  is  his  offspring.  What  greater  affront 
can  we  give  our  fellow-men,  than  to  call  on  them  for 
any  thing  contrary  to  their  character  and  ftation, 
which  would  debafe  them  below  the  character  of  men. 
The  thought  is  enough  to  fill  thofe  of  us  with  ever- 
lafting 


SONGS  OF  UNIVERSAL  PRAISE.        1S7 

lading  fhame  and  contempt  of  our  own  charaQer 
and  conduft,  who  have  indulged  fuch  converfation  ; 
efpecially  if  believing  him  to  be  the  Saviour,and  may 
now  fing  his  being  pacified  towards  us,  for  all  that  we 
have  done. 

Remembering  the  words  of  the  Apoftle  Paul^  with 
them  I  now  clofe,   Ye  are  bought  with  a  price  ;  there- 
fore glorify  God  in  your  fpirits  and  bodies  which  arc 
God's. 


UNIVERSAL  PRAISE. 


O 


HEAVENS,  fing  your  higheft  praifc. 

While  we  attend  to  hear  ; 
And  let  us  fee  what  numbers  are 

Joined  together  there. 
Ten  thoufand  times  ten  thoufand  do 

With  voices  loud  proclaim ; 
Thoufands  of  thoufands  join  to  fing 

The  Lamb's  moft  worthy  name. 
Let  earth  exceed  with  higher  praife 

Expreffing  of  it  thus  ; 
The  Lamb  is  worthy  that  was  flain, 

For  he  was  flain  for  us. 
From  earth,  from  the  remote  ft  ends, 

Come  join  to  fing  his  praife  j 
And  ye  that  occupy  the  fea, 

Your  voice  together  raife, 
From  mountains'  tops  give  ye  a  fhout. 

Shout  from  earth's  loweft  parts  ; 
Let  thofe  who  dwell  within  the  rock. 

Join  here  with  all  your  hearts. 
The  wildernefs  and  villages 

Their  voice  together  raife, 
While  dwellers  on  the  iflands  too, 

With  joy  declare  his  praife.  Hark  ! 


iS8.       SONGS  or  UNIVERSAL  PRAISE. 

Hark  !  and  attend  to  unifon, 

When  all  together  join  ; 
From  every  part  with  all  their  heart. 

The  mulic  is  divine. 
For  every  one  in  heav'n  and  earth. 

And  thofe  within  the  fea  ; 
And  all  therein,  and  under  earth, 

Moft  cordially  agree. 
In  bleffing,  honor,  glory,  power, 

With  union  ;  ceafing  never  ; 
To  him  that  fitteth  on  the  throne. 

Even  to  the  Lamb,  for  ever. 


The  ends  of  the  earth.  Ifa,  xxiv.  16.  From  the  ut- 
KYioji  ends  of  the  earth  have  I  heard  Jongs^  glory  to 
the  righteous. 

VV  HILE  thoufands,  thoufands  are  employed 

Of  the  angelic  hoft, 
In  finging  worthy  is  the  Lamb, 

Sure  men  fhould  praife  thee  moft. 
For  thou  for  guilty  men  was  flain  ; 

Haft  bought  us  with  thy  blood, 
From  ev'ry  nation,  kingdom,  tongue, 

Redeem'd  us  all  to  God. 
From  ends  of  earth  the  moft  remote, 

Thy  praife  fliould  ever  found  ; 
For  to  the  utmoft  coafts  thereof, 

Doth  grace  and  love  abound. 
While  you  lament  your  lortely  ftatc, 

Diftant  from  fellow-men ; 
Lo,  Christ  is  there  the  fource  of  joy. 

There  praife  him  ever  then. 
His  love  be  ever  on  your  mind, 

His  higheft  praifes  found  -, 
Your  fatisfaftion  will  increafe. 

Your  joy  will  thus  abound.     /  The 


SONGS  OF  UNIVERSAL  PRAISE.    ^189 

The  Manner's  Song, 

O  JESUS,  ever  bleft, 

Guide  thou  our  heart  and  tongue^ 
To  magnify  thy  worthy  name. 

In  a  becoming  fong, 
Refrefhed  was  our  mind, 

With  condefcending  grace, 
To  find  the  feaman  call'd  upon 

To  celebrate  thy  praife.  Jfa.  xlii.  10. 

We  fing  almighty  power,  Mat.  iii.  24. 

That  winds  and  feas  obey ;  Mark  iv.  39. 

For  by  thy  word  the  threatning  ftorms 

Are  made  to  calm  away.  Luke  viii.  23,  24. 

In  ftorms  and  dangers  great, 

Difciples  hope  we'll  cherifh  ; 
With  them  to  thee  we'll  lift  our  cry, 

Lord,  fave  us,  or  we  perilh.  Mat.  xiv.  30. 

When  contrary  winds 

Make  us  cry  out  for  aid, 
Our  minds  are  calm'd  to  hear  thee  fay 

'Tis  I,  be  not  afraid.  Mat.  xiv.  24.  37. 

If  once  we  knew  thy  voice, 

'Twould  make  us  all  agree  ; 
And  we'd  receive  thee  in  the  fhip, 

With  perfed  unity,  J^ohn  iv.  21. 


The  Wilderness. 

Pfalm  Ixxi.  9.     They  that  dwell  in  the  toildernefi  Jhall 

how  before  him, 

VV  HEN  dwellers  in  the  wildernefs, 

In  parched  barren  land. 
The  tidings  of  the  gofpel  true, 

Are  made  to  underftand. 
The  wildernefs  doth  as  a  rofe 

With  pleafant  bloffoms  blow  ; 

And 


190  .    SONGS  OF  UNIVERSAL  PRAISE. 

And  in  their  ftraits  of  ev'ry  kind. 

They  joy  and  Tinging  know. 
The  glory  thus  of  Lebanon^ 

Is  given  unto  it ; 
Carmel  and  Sharon's  excellence 

Doth  then  upon  it  fit. 
For  they  now  fee  with  great  delight 

The  glory  of  the  Lord  ; 
The  excellence  of  our  God 

Doth  fongs  of  joy  afford. 
For  the  paffengers  i'th'  wildetnefs 

Behold  he  makes  a  way  : 
Refrefliing  ftreams  in  deferts  flow. 

Their  parching  thiift  to  lay. 
Both  wildernefs  and  cities  too 

Are  called  to  rejoice  j 
And  in  the  new  fong  take  their  part, 

Uniting  heart  and  voice. 


Kcdar,  with  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth, 

JLVEDAR  was  the  fon  of  Ifhmael,  who  was  an^ 
outcafi:  from  his  youth,  yet  beloved  of  hi-s  father 
Abraham,  who  prayed,  0  that  IJhmael  might  live  be^ 
fore  thee  ;  and  was  anfwered,  /  have  heard  thee,  I 
have  blejfed  him.  (If  God  blefs,  it  cannot  be  rever- 
fed.)  /  will  make  of  him  a  great  nation  ;  confe- 
quently  that  nation  is  blefled  in  Christ  Jesus,  ac- 
cording to  the  gofpel  preached  to  Abraham.  Though 
Kedar  lignifies  blacknefs  or  forrow,  though  Kedar 
inhabited  villages,  and  dwelt  in  tents,  and  might  be 
reckoned  with  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth,  yet  the 
villages  that  Kedar  doth  inhabit,  with  the  lower  parts 
of  the  earth,  are  called  upon  to  take  their  part  in  the 


new  fong. 


YE 


SONGS  OF  UNIVERSAL  PRAISE.      igt 

X  E  who  in  lower  parts  of  earth, 

By  providence  do  dwell ; 
Redeemer's  praifes  you  are  call'd 

With  (houting  forth  to  tell. 
Kedar  though  black  and  forrowful, 

Is  called  to  rejoice 
In  Chrift,  in  whom  all  nations  are 

Blefs'd  by  Jehovah's  voice. 
Kedar,  thy  flocks  fhall  gather'd  be, 

And  with  acceptance  meet; 
With  joy  then  in  Immanuel, 

Come  worfliip  at  his  feet. 
When  earth  and  feas,  and  iflands  too, 

Are  called  to  rejoice, 
And  fing  a  new  fong  to  the  Lord, 

Let  Kedar  join  his  voice. 


From  the  top  of  the  mountains^  and  the  inhabitants  of 
the  rod,    Ifa.  xlii.  6,  7,  10,  11. 

JlI ARK  !  from  the  mountains  there's  a  fliout, ' 
^     And  from  the  rock  a  fong  ; 
Why  ?  what's  the  caufe  of  mufic  heard. 

As  thus  we  pafs  along  ? 
Jefus,  the  people's  covenant, 

Light  to  the  Gentile  world  ; 
The  pris'ners  from  the  prifon?  freed. 

And  darknefs  from  them  hurl'd. 
When  this  is  known,  the  new  fong's  fung 

O'er  all  the  earth  abroad  ; 
Dwellers  in  mountains,  and  in  rocks, 

May  join  with  one  accord. 
Proclaiming  praife  with  joyful  found, 

To  his  moit  worthy  name  ; 
Afcribing  honor,  glory,  power, 


To  the  redeeming  Lamb. 


The 


192        SONGS  OF  UNIVERSAL  PRAISE. 

Theijles^  and  the  inhahitdnts  thereof, 

JL  E  who  uport  the  iflands  dwell, 
^     Your  thankful  voices  raife, 
To  him  who  kindly  fays  of  you, 

Let  them  declare  my  praife. 
This  efficacious  Let  removes 

Objeftions  guilt  doth  raife  ; 
The  juftifier  having  faid 

Let  ifles  declare  my  praife. 
Doth  he  fay  let  ?  Then  fure  'tis  true, 

He  hath  our  guilt  remov'd, 
And  brought  us  nigh  by  Jefus'  blood,      Ep,  ii.  13. 

As  thofe  in  him  belov'd. 
Then  let  us  ftudy  to  exprefs 

Our  love  to  him.  to  thofe. 
Who  may  be  caft  away  on  us, 

And  need  our  food  or  cloaths. 
When  thus  they  entertained  Paul, 

They  were  repaid  indeed,  ABi  xxviii.  1-9. 

Difeafcd  in  the  ifland  were 

Each  healed  as  they'd  need.  <• 

Thy  healing  power.  Lord  impart, 

To  each  difeafe  of  foul, 
That  breaks  our  peace  and  happinefs. 

May  we  be  thus  made  whole. 
And  rife  and  walk,  leap  and  praife  God, 

In  all  becoming  ways  ; 
By  lip  and  life,  and  tongue,  and  fong, 

Ixt  ides  declare  thy  praife, 

[To 


SONGS  OF  UNIVERSAL  PRAISE.        1^3 


fTo  fill  two  or  three  vacant  pages^  the  reader  is  prefentefl  wUli,*  A 
Viewof  the  world's  mifery  and  happinefs  in  miniature;"  alluding  to 
ifa.  liii.  6,  All  ive  like Jheep  have  gone  ajiray^  nve  hwve  turned  every 
one  to  his  o'wn  'way  ;  ar»d  to  chap.  xlv.  23,  24,  I  have fiuo'rn  bjtnyjtlfy 
that  unto  me  every  knee  Jh all  3oao,  &c, 

* 

JljOOK  in,  look  out,  look  round  aboutj 

Where'er  I  turn  itiirie  eye,  I  Toon  deFcry 

Profanenefs,  lewdnefs,  pride  and  guilt; 

In  yonder  lane,  the  maii  pirofane. 

The  woman  very  lewd  ; 

The  ftanders  by,  moll  fcornful  proud. 
'    And  though  I  ftart,  for  my  own  part. 

And  ftop,  and  look,  and  ftare. 

In  looking  in,  I  find  the  fih 

In  all  its  parts  is  there. 

My  filence  broke,  and  thus  I  fpoke, 

Profane  he,  and  lewd  (he, 

With  proud  we,  and  guilty  me, 

Muft  all  agree,  to  bow  the  knee 

'I'o  Jefus-j  Lord  of  all.. 

Both  guilty,  proud,  lewd  and  profanej 
♦   Muft  kneel,  and  on  him  call  ; 

To  think  to  ftand  in  thefe  is  vain, 

Our  loftinefs  muft  fall ; 

For  by  himfelf  he  fware  it  fhall. 

But  prais'd  be  grace,  that's  found  a  placej 

Where  he  and  fhe,  and  I  and  we, 

May  fee  his  reconciled  face. 

Though  we  have  dellroy'd  ourfelves, 

And  fink  in  guilt  and  helpleffnefs. 

In  midft  of  all  our  deep  diftrefs, 

L)ur  help  in  him  is  found. 

So  when  we  pray,  we  fure  may  fay, 

I  in  the  Lord  now  find, 

Both  perfc6l  ri^hteoufnefs  and  llrength, 

To  eaie  and  heal  my  troubled  mind. 

B  b  When 


i94        SONGS  OF  UxNilVERSAL  PRAfSff. 

When  this  we  fee,  let's  all  agree. 
His  higheft  praife  to  found  ; 
laftead  of  hate,  fill'd  with  debate, 
Let  Love  and  Peace  abound. 


On,  the  Crowing  of  a  Cock* 

XJlS  I  lay  mufingon  my  bed, 

I  heard  the  Cock  crow  twice  ; 
My  fmful  fhame  of  Jesus'  name, 

Reproach'd  me  more  than  thrice. 
That  he,  for  me,  fhould  bear  the  crofsy 

And  quite  defpife  the  fhame  ; 
Who  have  before  my  fellow  men, 

Refus'd  to  own  his  name. 


The  bereaved  Mother. 

X  H  Y  will  be  done,  with  me  and  mine, 

Ceafe  then  each  murm'ring  thought ; 
'Tis  wife  and  juft,  and  comes  in  love, 

As  revelation  taught.        Heb.  xii,  6.  Job  v,!/. 
My  child  he  gave  to  my  embrace,     Pro.iii. 11,12. 

And  bleffed  be  his  name  ; 
He  took  it  to  himfelf  again.  Job  i.  21. 

Repeated  be  the  fame. 
*Tis  fruitlefs  now  for  me  to  weep, 

He  can't  come  back  Ifee  ; 
My  lot  is  now  to  go  to  him,  aSam.  xii.33. 

He  fliall  not  come  to  me. 
Then  let  my  mind  now  fix  upon, 

(All  earthly  joys  before) 
The  Living  One,  who  once  was  dead, 

But  lives  for  ever  more.  Rev^  i-  « B. 

When 


SONGS  OF  UNIVERSAL  PRAISE.     195 

WHEN  the  Pfc^mift  had  fpoken  of  the  perfeft 
charafler  of  the  bleffed  man  Christ  Jesus,  in  the 
firft  Pfalm,  he  defcribes  the  treatment  this  bleged 
one  met  with  in  the  world,  from  the  heathen^  the  peo- 
ple^ (viz.  Jews  and  Gentiles)  the  Kings  of  the  eanh, 
and  the  rulers,  in  the  fccond  Pfalm  ;  and  the  many, 
the  increafed  multitude,  in  the  third  Pfalm  :  fie 
breaks  forth  in  verfe  eighth,  in  an  afcription  of  Sal- 
vation to  the  LoRP  :  Thy  blejfing  upon  thy  peopk* 

O  ALVATION  in  thy  counfels,  Lord, 

Was  perfetl  wifdom's  plan ; 
Defign'd  jn  jEsys  Christ  for  us. 

Before  the  world  began. 
Salvation  !  O  the  pleafant  found  I 

Mine  ears  attend  the  voice  ; 
It  comes  thro'  perfect  righteoufnefj. 

Then  let  my  heart  rejoice.  .  ' 

Salvation  wrought  in  Jesus'  life,  jj 

Andfinifli'd  when  he  died  ; 
And  witnefs'd  when  he  rojTe  again, 

I  know  no  hope  befide. 
Salvation  then  belongs  to  him, 

Who  wrought  it  out  alone  j 
*Tis  not  our  aft  or  wiih,  but  is 

Thy  bleffing  freely  fhown. 


E 


Jfaiah  xlvi.  3,  4. 


BENEZ^R  the  place  111  call, 

Wherein  I  now  do  ftand  ; 
For  hitherto  I've  helped  been, 

Jehovah,  by  thy  hand. 
Through  all  my  helplefs  infanc)', 

And  tender  feeble  youth  ; 
For  then  thy  tender  mercies  were 

My  conflant  (lay  in  truth. 


lr\ 


tg$     SONGS  OF  UNIVERSAL  PRAISE, 

In  riper  age  when  I  gr^w  up. 

Thy  love  I've  not  forgot ; 
For  thou  in  mercy  didft  maintain 

My  undeferved  lot.  •" 
Through  all  my  wants,  and  wanderings, 

My  guilt,  and  preffing  fears, 
^   I've  been  reliev-d  and  helped  through. 

For  more  than  threefcore  years. 
'Twas  thou  in  mercy  didft  me  bear, 

And  carry  to  this  age  j 
Then  let  th^  praifes  high  employ 

And  fill  the  prefent  page. 
Thy  mercies  through  the  path  I've  beenj 

Are  ever  fhining  bright ; 
But  when  I  read  the  gofpel  news, 

'Tis  as  the  new  day  light. 
Yea,  to  old  age  thou  art  the  fame, 

And  unto  hoary  hairs, 
My  guide  thou  wilt  be  unto  death. 

As  in  thy  word  appears. 
Then  let  me  ever  reft  in  thee, 

Although  the  times  feem  hard  ; 
And  left  I  murmur  or  diftruft, 

Be  ever  on  my  guard. 
And  keep  mine  eye  upon  the  hope 

The  gofpel  brings  to  view. 
That  I  may  always  joy  in  what 

Thy  wifdom  calls  me  tbrougl^. 


The  reJlcBions  9J  an  Old  Mait, 

X  HREE  fcore  and  ten's  already  paft, 

My  exit  muft  draw  nigh, 
\V^hen  I  ftjall  quit  the  prefent  fcene. 

And  wholly  be  laid  by. 


SONGS  OF  UNIVERSAL  PRAISE     le^f 

J^yfelf  a  fi nner  of  the  chief, 

Confcious  I  freely  own  ; 
Hence  hope  within«or  from  myfelf 

I  inuft  confefs  there's  none. 
But  when  I  read  God's  gracious  name. 

Father,  Redeemer  top, 
Who's  juft,  and  yet  falvation  hath, 

My  hopes  revive,  'tis  true;^ 
I  feel  the  force  of  what  was  told 

To  me  in  early  youth  -,  ^ 
Though  taught  me  from  my  infancy. 

It  is  a  living  truth  : 
That  my  encouragement  to  pray, 

Muft  come  from  God  alone  j 
For  from  my  finful  felf  I  fee 

Moft  furely  there  is  none. 
My  ftudy  be  God's  gracious  name, 

In  Jesus  manifeft ; 
Jesus  our  head,  his  life,  his  death^ 

His  rifing  is  my  reft. 


A  Praftica! 


«iMMii 


A  Practical  Eflay,  defigned  for  General 
Ufe— In  Three  Parts. 


S    E    C    T     I     O     N      VII. 

The  Consequent  -Obligation  of  dhe  Believers 
of  the  Gospel,  A  PRACTlCAIi  ESSAY,  be- 
»  Jignedfor  General  Use,  in  Thrce  Parts — Part 
I.  Addrejfe'd  to  Husbands  and  Wives  :  Being 
an  anfxver  to  two  Inquiries'^  'the  ijl,  "  What  is  the 
mojl  obvious  meaning  of  the  word  Church,  in  the 
New  Tefament  ?  The  2d,  How  doth  Marriage 
convey,  as  in  a  myflery,'the  Union  of  Christ  and 
the  Church  ?  Improved  to  illuflrate  the  honorable 
Relation,  endeared  Affeftion  and  mutual  Duties  0/" 
Husbands  and  Wives.  With  a  Song  on  Mar- 
riage. To  whichis  added,  an  Appendix,  rmth 
Some  Thoughts  fuggejied  by  the  provifions    of  the 

Table. Part  11.  Addreffed  to  Parents  :  'Being 

Some  Thoughts  on   Education. Part  III.  An 

Inquiry  concerning  the  Case  of  Children,  with 
an   Exhortation  to  them. 

*'  For  the  Grace  of  God,  that  bringeth  Salvation, hath  appeared 
to  all  men."  Or,  as  in  the  former  tranflation,  "  The  Grace  of  God, 
that  bringeth  Salvation  to  all  men,  hath  appeared,  and  Teaches  us, 
that  we  fliould  deny  ungodlinefs  asd  worldly  lufts,  and  that  we  fliould 
livefoberly,righteoully  and  godly  in  thisprelent  world."  TiTUSii.ia. 

PART    I. 

To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES. 

1  HE  words  of  the  Apoftle,  in  Ephefians  v. 
32,  "  this  is  a  great  myftery,  but  I  fpeajc  concerning 
Christ  and  the  church,"  naturally  lead  to  two  in- 
quiries. 

1  ft.  What  is  the  moft  obvious  meaning  of  the  word 
church  in  the  fcriptures  ? 

2d  How 


to  tltJSBANDS  AND  WIVES.  19^ 

2d.  How  doth  the  marriage  utiioii  convey,  as  in  a 
tnyftery,  the  union  of  Christ  and  the  church  ? 

For  the  moft  obvious  meaning  of  the  word  church 
in  the  fcriptures,  we  may  look  into  the  various  texts 
where  it  is  mentioned. 

I  do  not  recoiled  that  the  word  is  any  where  ufed 
in  the  Old  Teftament.  The  apoflle,  in  A^ts  vii.  38, 
ufes  it  for  the  Old  Teftament  church,  "this  is  he  that 
was  in  the  church  in  the  wilderhefs  with  the  Angel," 
&c.  The  words  that  are  ufed  in  the  Old  Teftament 
are  aflembly  and  congregation  ;  Exodus  xii.  6,  "  the 
whole  alTembly  fhall  kill  it  in  the  evening,"  that  is, 
the  whole  church  of  Ifrael,  that  were  bound  to  keep 
the  paffover  ;  Pfalm  xxii.  22,  "  In  the  midft  of  the 
congregation  will  I  praife  thee,"  which  the  Apoftlc, 
in  Hebrews  ii.  12,  calls  the  church,  "  in  the  midft  of 
the  church  will  I  fing  praife  unto  thee," 
IjK  '  in  the  New  Teftament,  the  firft  mentioned  place  t 
■^  recolleft,  is  Matthew  xvi.  18,  "  upon  this  rock  will  I 
build  my  church,  and  the  gates  of  liell  fliall  not  pre- 
vail againft  it."  Upon  this  rock,  the  truth  Peter  had 
made  confefiion  of,  "  thou  art  the  Christ,  the  fon 
of  the  living  God,"  is  the  rock  on  which  the  church 
is  built,  againft  which  the  gates,  the  power  and  policy 
'of  hell,  ftiall  not  prevail. 

Then  in  the  xviiith  of  Matthew,  1 7,  in  which  fo 
far  as  I  underftand,  Jesus  Christ  is  inftru8:ing  his 
difciple's  their  duty  in  their  particular  connexion, 
thofe  believers  of  the  apoftles  dodrine  collected  in 
the  profeffion  of  the  name  of  Jesus,  meeting  toge- 
ther in  one  place,  was  called  the  church  in  that 
place.  In  AEh  viii.  i,  we  read  of  the  church  which 
was  at  Jerulalem,  the  firft  church  gathered  by  the 
apoftles  after  the  defcent  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  ;  ABs 
xiii.  1,  of  the  church  at  Antioch;  Ads  xx.  7,  and 
Revelations  ii.  1,  of  the  qhurch  of  Ephefus ;  Ro^ 
mans  xvi.   3-^-5, -and  xft  o  IConVAmyz.?,  .xvi.  19,  we 

read 


2©o        to  HUSBANDS  AND  WIVES. 

read  of  the  church  in  the  houfe  of  Prifcilla  and  A^ 
quilla  ;  in  Colojfians  iv.  15,  of  the  church  in  Nym- 
phas's  houfe,  and  of  the  church  in  Philemon's  houfe, 
m  the  2d  verfe  of  that  epiftle. 

.  Thefe  particular  churches,  gathered  by  the  apof- 
tle's  doftrine,  was  governed  by  the  will  of  Jesus 
Christ,  as  taught  by  them  ;  and  fo  far  as  that  can  be 
underftood  from  the  fcriptures,  are  the  rule  by  which 
particular  churches  of  Christ  are  to  be  governed  in 
all  ages ;  but  as  that  would  be  too  lengthy  to  be 'here 
confidered,  muft  be  pafied  over. 

We  read  aifo  of  the  church  of  the  firft  born,  writ<- 
ten  in  heaven,  Hebrews.^  xii.  23  ;  of  the  church  for 
which  Christ  gave  himfelf,  "that  he  might  fan£lify 
imd  cleanfe  it,  by  the  wafhing  of  water  through  the 
_  word,  that  he  might  make  it  to  himfelf  a  glorious 
church,  not  having  fpot  or  wrinkle^  or  any  fuch  thing, 
but  that  it  might  be  holy  and  without  blemifh."  E^ 
"^hejians  v.  26,  27. 

Hence  I  colleQ,  ift,  That  Jesus  Christ  is  the 
foundation  on  whom  the  church  is  built. 

2d.  That  thofe  that  were  brought  by  the  Apofto- 
lie  do£irihe  concerning  him,  to  believe  that  Jesus  is 
the  Christ,  in  the  firft  ages  of  chriftianity,  were  by 
apoftolic  authority  collefted  into  diftinft,  particular 
churches,  in  fuch  places  where  there  were  a  fufficient 
number  of  believers  for  that  purpofe,  and  were  call- 
ed the  church  in  that  place.  There  is  little  faid  about 
the  place  of  their  meeting  :  I  fuppofe  any  place  that 
they  could  obtain,  that  was  convenient  for  that  pur- 
pofe :  The  church  of  Troas  met  in  an  upper  cham- 
ber ;  AUs  XX.  7,  8,  the  church  of  the  ColofTians  in 
Philemon's  houfe,  as  may  be  feen  by  comparing  thofe 
two  epifties. 

Thefe  churches  appeared  as  a  reprefentation  of 
the  univerfal  church,  in  their  holding  the  one  truth, 
that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  fon  of  God,  by  which  they 

were 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES.         201 

Vere  all  gathered  together,  this  being  the  fole  foun- 
dation on  which  the  univerfal  church  is  built,  and  in 
their  profefled  fubjeftion  to  the  authority  of  Jesus 
Christ,  the  bead  of  the  church)  and  head  over  all 
things  for  its  good. 

3dly.  That  there  is  a  univerfal  church,  which  will 
confift  of  all  that  are  included  in  that  glorious  church 
for  whom  Jesus  Christ  gave himfelf;  the  full  mean- 
ing of  which  is  the  general  aflembly  and  church  of 
the  firft  born,  written  in  Heaven  ;  Jesus  Christ  is 
the  firft  born  among  the  many  brethren  brought  to 
glory.  Pfalm  Ixxxix.  27,  "  I  will  make  him  my  firft 
born,  higher  than  the  kings  of  the  earth  >"  Romans 
viii.  29,  "  the  firft  born  among  many  brethren  ;"  Co- 
lojjians  i.  15,"  who  is  the  firft  born  of  every  creature,'* 
verfe_i  8,  "  the  firft  born  from  the  dead."  It  is  his 
church,  the  church  of  the  firft  born  ;  this  church,  this 
general  affembly,  called  Pfalm  cvii.  32,  "  the  aftem- 
bly  of  the  people,  the  congregation  of  the  elders," 
Pfalm  cxi.  1,  "  the  aflembly  of  the  upright,  and  the 
congregation,"  Pfalm  clxix.  1,  "  the  congregation  of 
the  faints,"  that  are  reprefented  to  John,  Revelations 
V.  8,  by  the  four  living  creatures  and  four  and  twen- 
ty elders,  and  chap.  vii.  9,  by  a  great  multitude,  which 
no  man  could  number,  of  all  nations  and  kindred, 
and  people  and  tongues,  in  addition  to  the  hundred, 
forty  and  four  thoufand,  that  were  fealed  in  the  for- 
mer part  of  the  chapter,  of  all  the  tribes  of  Jfrael. — • 
The  fame  fealed  number  are  reprefented,  in  chap.xiv. 
1,  to  5,  ftanding  with  the  lamb  on  the  mount  Zi  >  1," 
■which  did  not  exclude  the  preaching  of  the  golpel 
to  every  nation  and  kindred  and  tongue  and  people, 
verfe  6  ;  which  gofpel  or  word  fliall  not  return  void, 
but  ftiall  accomplifh  what  he  pleafes,  and  fliall  prol- 
per  in  the  thing  whereunto  he  fends  it. 

Of  this  church  every  believer  of  the  Apoftles  tcfti- 
luony,  or  every  one  that  believeth  that  Jt^us  is  the 

C    C  CiiKX.>T) 


Z02  To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES. 

Christ,  according  to  Peters  confelfion,  appears, up- 
on the  confcffion  of  this  faith,  to  be  a  vifible  member. 
And  it  is  the  duty  of  every  fuch  perfon,  who  can  find 
a  particular  church  built  on  this  foundation,  and  who 
in  fubjection  to  his  authority,  make  the  apoftolic 
churches  their  rule  as  to  order  to  join  with  them  in 
tlie  profeffion  of  his  name,  with  them  obferving  all 
things  whatfoever  he  has  commanded,  walking  to- 
gether in  love,  as  he  hath  given  commandment ;  for 
this  they  are  chofen  and  called  to  the  faith  of  the  gof- 
pel,  ift  of  Peter.,  ii.  9,  Such  are  made  ufe  of  for  the 
ingathering  of  others,  ift  of  Thejfalonians,  i.  8,  "  for 
from  you  founded  out  the  word  of  the  Lord  ;"  EpJu' 
Jians  i.  9,  10,  having  made  known  to  us  the  myftery 
of  his  will,  according,  to  his  good  pleafure,  which  he 
hath  prapofed  in  himfelf,  that  in  the  difpenfation  of 
the  fullnefs  of  times,  he  might  gather  together  in  one, 
all  things  in  Christ,  both  which  are  in  Heaven  and 
which  are  on  earth,  in  him."  But  the  Ephefian  church 
being  chofen  in  him  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world,  to  be  holy  and  without  blame  before  him  in 
love,  being  predeftinated  to  the  adoption  of  children 
by  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  the  good  pleafure  of 
his  will,  to  the  praife  of  the  glory  of  his  grace,  was 
not  to  the  final  exclufion  or  reprobation  of  others, 
but  as  a  means  made  ufe  of  by  him,  that  in  the  dif- 
penfation of  the  fullnefs  of  times,  he  might  gather 
together  all  things  in  Christ  ;  chap.  ii.  7,  "  That 
in  the  ages  to  come  he  might  fhew  the  exceeding 
riches  of  his  grace,  in  his  kindnefs  towards  us  through 
Christ  Jesus."  The  church  then  is  to  hold  forth 
the  word  of  life;  the  word  is  to  found  out  from  them. 
««  As  oft  as  ye  eat  this  bread  and  drink  this  cup,  ye 
do  fliew  forth  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come  :"  Thus 
they  boldly  bear  his  name,  in  bppofition  to  earth 
and  hell  ;  fliew  that  he  is  precious,  and  hold  forth  to 
the  world,  that  there  is  no  other  name  under  heaven 

given 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES.  203 

given   among  men,   whereby   they   muft   be  faved. 
Such   are  the  means  the  great  head  of  the   church 
makes  ufe  of,as  he  pleales,  to  the  conviftion  of  others: 
But  be   the  confequences  what  they  will,  it  is  thcrr 
duty  to  teitify  to  liis  name,  truth  and  ways,  looking 
for  the  time  when  he  will  gather  all  the  fruit  of  his 
purchafe  into  one  in  himfelf;  for  every  one  for  whom 
Christ  died,  Oiall  certainly,   in  his  time  and  way, 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  him,  and  to  partake  in  his 
falvation,  as  thofe  who  have  been  or  are  vifible  nfhm- 
bersof  his  church. — For  doth  not  the  fcriptures  fliew 
the  connexionof  the  human  race  with  Jesus  Christ, 
as  their  head,  in  as  extenfive  a  view  as  their  connex- 
ion with  the  firft  Adam,  fee  Romans  v.  14,  to  the  end  ; 
Hebrews  ii.  9,  "  we  fee  Jefus,  who  was  made  a  little 
lower  than  the  angels,  for   the    fufFerings  of  death, 
crowned  with  glory  and  honour,  that  he  by  the  grace 
of  God,   fliould  tafte  death   for  every  man."  ill  of 
John.)  ii.  2-,  "  he  is  the  propitiation  for  our  |ins ;  and 
not  for  ours  only,  but  for  the  whole  world."   And  the 
apoftle   fays,  2d  of  Cori7ithians,  v.   14,  to  the   end, 
"  we  thus  judge,  if  one  died  for  all,  then  all  died  ; 
and  he  died  for  all,  that  they  which  live,  fhould  not 
henceforth  live  to   themfelves,  but  to  him  that  died 
for  them,  and  rofc  again."     This  appears  to  be  the 
defign  of  the  manifeftation  of  this  truth,  or  of  perfons 
being  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  to 
life  in  Christ  thereby,  that  they  which  live  fhould 
not  henceforth  live  to  themfelves,  but   to   him  that 
died  for  them,  and  rofe  again  ■*  verfe   16,  "  where- 
fore henceforth  know  we  no  man  after   the    fleOi ;" 
before  they  knew  the,  Jews  after  the  flefh,  as  thofe 

«  to 

*  The  thought  of  this  is  enough  to  clothe  with  fhame,  ns  a  garment, 
thofe  who  have  hope  ol"  life  by  Jefus  Chrift,  that  this  defign  has  been 
no  more  attended  to.  For  myfelf  i  can  fay,  to  me  belongs  fhamc  and 
confvifion  of  face.  Praifcdbe  his  name,  to  the  Lord  our  God  belongs 
mercies  and  forgivencfs.  Though  wc  have  rebeiVed  againft  him,  mav 
the  hope  of  forgivenels  ever  keep  us  fiom  defpair,  and  be  a  iiclh 
Ipring  of  excitement  to  live  to  him  him  that  died  tor  us,  and  rofe  again. 


«04        To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES. 

*'  to  whom  pertained  the  adoption,  and^  the  glory,  and 
the  covenants,  and  the  giving  of  the  law,  and  the  fer- 
vice,  and  the  promifcs,  whofe  were  the  fathers,  and 
of  whom  concerning  the  flefh  Christ  came,  who  is 
over  all,  God  blefled  forever.     Amen." 

The  gofpel  was  firft  publifhed  to  them,i)eginning 
at  Jerufalem ;  upon  their  rejefting  it,  the  apoftles  are 
fent  to  the  Gentiles,  and  are  taught  to  call  no  man 
common  or  unclean  ;  what  God  hath  fanO-ified,  call 
TiOt  thou  common,  which  the  apoftle  explains,  y^^5  x. 
28,  "God  hath  (hewed  that  I  fliould  call  no  man 
common  or  unclean."  Why  i?  Bccaufe  God  hath 
cleanfed  them  ;  I  view  them  cleanfed,  in  that 
Christ  died  for  all,  and  defigns  in  his  time  and  way 
to  bring  them  all  to  the  knowledge  of  himfelf,  and 
manifeft  his  fanft^fying  and  fetting  them  apart  for 
himfelf.  This  dtffroys  all  diftin6tion  between  Jew 
and  Gentile,  and  not  only  as  the  nations  of  Jews  and 
Gentilesj  but  of  all  men  in  every  age,  that  on  fome 
accoaiu  or  other,  befides  the  atonement,  would  pre- 
fiime  to  be  in,  or  near,  or  have  a  claim  upon  the  di- 
vine favour  before  fome  of  their  fellow  creatures. — 
Henceforth  know  we  no  man  after  the  flefh,  "  yea, 
though  we  have  knownXHRisT  after  the  flefli,  yet 
now  henceforth  know  we  him  no  more;"  Jesus 
Christ  was  a  minifler  of  the  circumcifion,  was  made 
under  the  law,  fulfilled  the  righteoufnefs  of  it,  came 
to  his  own,  fent  his  gofpel  (irft  to  the  Jews;  but  when 
bis  death  and  refurre^Hon  were  fully  made  manifeft, 
and  the  promifes  underftood,  that  all  the  families  of 
the  earth  were  to  be  bleffed  in  him,  that  the  Gentiles 
were  to  glorify  God  for  mercy;  when  thefe  things 
were  made  fully  manifeft,  the  apoftle  fays,  «  yea, 
though  we  have  known  Christ  after  the  flefh,  yet  now 
henceforth  know  we  him  no  more  ;  therefore  if  any 
man  be  in  Christ  a  new  creature,  thefe  old  things 
are  paffed  away,  behold  all  things  are  become  new:" 

There 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES.         205 

There  is  not  a  fragment  of  the  old  diIpciii'ation,or  of 
the  righteoufnefs  of  our  own,  can  have  any  admiffion 
as  recommending  us  to  the  divine  favour,  "  all  things 
are  become  new,  and  all  of  God,  who  hath  reconcil- 
ed us  to  himfelf ;"  us,  the  apoftles  and  firlt  difciples, 
with  the  church  of  the  Corinthians,  to  whom  he  wrote, 
who  were  together  vifibly  reconciled  to  himfelf  by 
Jesus  Christ,  "  and  hath  committed  to  us  the  word 
of  reconcilation  ;"  that  is,  the  word  of  reconciliation 
committed  to  the  apoftles,  "  that  God  was  in  Christ 
reconciling  the  world  to  himfelf,  not  imputing  ilieir 
irefpafles  unto  them."  Now  then,  if  God  was  in  Chrilt 
reconciling  the  world  unto  himfelf;  if  he  be  the  propitia- 
tion for  the  whole  world  ;  if  he  tafted  death  for  every 
man;  if  Adam  was  a  full  figure  of  him  that  was  to  come, 
and  the  conneftioa  of  the  human  race  with  Jlsus 
Christ  as  their  head,  as  extenfive  as  their  conncfction 
with  the  firft  Adam,  then  we  muft  conceive  that  the 
church  of  the  firft  born,  the  church  for  which  Christ 
gave  himfelf,  will  finally  confift  of  all  nations,  kir.d- 
reds,  tongues  and  people  ;  and  in  this  view,  the  de- 
fign  of  mercy  forbids  calling  any  man  common,  and 
lays  a  fure  foundation  of  univerfal  love  and  benevo- 
lence to  all  the  human  race,  and  of  faith  in  prayer  for 
them  ;  while  thofe  brought  to  believe  that  Jj:sus  is 
the  Christ,  profeffing  their  faith  in,  and  fubjeclioii 
to  him,  and  appearing  influenced  thereby,  are  tub- 
je6ls  of  thatgofpel  charity,  which  the  Apoftle  enjoins, 
when  he  fays,  "  have  fervent  charity  among  your- 
felves,"  and  which  I  think,  appears  evidently  diflin- 
guifhable  from  the  univerfal  benevolence  due  to  the 
whole  human  race. 

Thus  from  the  mod  obvious  meaning;  of  the  paf- 
fages  where  the  word  church  is  ufed  in  fcripture, 
thefe  things  have  been  collefted.  ill,  That  Jesu:; 
Christ  is  the  foundation  on  which  the  church  is 
built.     2dly,  A  colkclion  of  believers  profefiing  his 

name, 


j»o6        To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES. 

pame,  and  in  fubjeftion  to  his  authority,  obferving 
his  laws,  in  any  place,  are  a  vifible  church  there,  or 
a  vi{ib'e  reprefentation  of  the  univerfal  church.  3dly, 
The  univerfal  church  will  finally  have  gathered  into 
it,  or  be  made  up  of  all  for  whom  Christ  died. 

The  fecond  inquiry  is,  How  doth  marriage  convey, 
as  in  a  myftcry,  the  union  of  Christ  and  the  church? 
Attention  to  this  inquiry  will  lead  us  to   compare 
this  paffage  in  Ephejiajis,  with  the  beginning  of  Gene^ 
Jis-i  and  various  other  paffages,  one  with  another.     In 
Genf-Jis  i.  27,  we  read,     "  So  God  created   man  in 
his  own  image,  in  the  image  of  God  created  he  him, 
male  and  female  created  he  them."     There  appeared 
to  be  male  and  female  created  in  the  one  man  :  The 
particular  formation  or  building  of  the  woman,  was 
from  man,  of  which  we  have  the  account,  Genejis    ii. 
21,  22,  "    And  the  Lord  God  caufed  a  deep  fleep 
to  fall  upon  Adam,  and  he  flept  *  ;  and  he  took  one 
of  his  ribs  and  clofed  up  the  (lefh   inftead  thereof; 
and  the  rib  which  the    Lord  God  had  taken  from 
man,  builded  t  he  a  woman,  and  brought  her  unto 
the  man."     Thus    the  woman  "  is  of  the  man,  and 
for  the  man,"  ift  of  Corinthians,  xi.  8.  9,  So  is   the 
church,  in  every  view,  of  and  for  Jesus  Christ. — 
Romans  xi,  36,  "  for  of  him,  and  to  him,  and  through 
him,   are   all   things."  Colojians  i.    16.  "  all    things 
were  created  by  him   and  for  him."     As  the  woman 
was  created  in  him,  was  of  him  and  for  him,  fo   they 
are  called  by  one  name,  or  flie  bears  his  name,     Ge- 
nefis  v.  2,  «  male  and  female  created  he  them,  and 
called  their  name  Adam."     When    (he  was  brought 
to  him,  he  fays,  "  flie  fliall  be  called  woman,  becaufe 
fhe  was  taken  out  of  man."     She  fhall  be  called  by  a 
name  derived  from   that  of  man.     So  the  church  is 
called  by  the  fame  name  with  Jesus  Christ;  Jere- 
miah 

*  As  Adam  was  a  figure  of  him  that  was  to  come,  may  not  thisdeep 
fleep  prefigure  the  death  of  Jefus  Chrift,  from  which  the  church  ai-iles. 
t  See  the  Hebrew  in  the  bible  margin. 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES."         20; 

miah  xxiii.  6,  and  xxxiii.  16,  "  he  and  flie  arc  called, 
the  Lord  our  righteoufnefs."  Yet  fo  as  to  be  deno- 
tninated  from  him,  "  he  fhall  be  called  a  Nazarene," 
they  "  the  feO;  of  the  Nazarenes  ;"  he  is  called 
Christ,  "  the  difciples  were  firft  called  Chriftians  at 
Antioch  j"  names  derived  from  him  (hewing,  that 
without  him  they  were  nothing ;  that  he  is  their  all, 
and  that  in  him  they  pofiefs  and  enjoy  all  good. 

We  have  the  reafon  of  this  name,  "  This  is  now 
bone  of  my  bone,  and  flefh  of  my  flefli ;  ihe  fliall  be 
called  woman,  becaufe  flie  was  taken  out  of  man." 
"  So  ought  men  lo  love  their  wives  as  their  OWft 
bodies  ;  he  that  lovcth  his  wife  loveth  himfelf,  for  no 
man  ever  yet  hated  his  own  flefli,  but  nouriflieth  and 
chedflieth  it,  even  as  the  Lord  the  church,  for  we  are 
members  of  his  body,  of  his  flefli,  and  of  his  bones." 
The  circumftances  of  the  church  with  Jesus  Christ, 
are  fimilar  to  that  of  Adam  with  his  wife,  bone  and 
flefli.  "  For  this  cjtufe  fhall  a  man  leave  his  father 
and  mother,  and  be  joined  to  his  wife,  and  they  two 
fhall  be  one  flefh:  This  is  a  great  myftery,  but  I 
fpeak  concerning  Chrift  and  the  church. 

"  This  is  a  great  myftery ;"  the  myfter)'",  that  ia 
marriage  conveys  the  union  of Cpi r  i  st  and  the  chutch, 
appears  herein  :  That  the  woman  was  created  in  the 
man,  was  united  to  him  before  fhe  was  diftin611y 
builded  a  woman  :  When  fhe  was  thus  builded  and 
brought  to  him,  there  appeared  the  vifible  marriage 
union  ;  he  faid,  "  This  is  now  bone  of  my  bone,  and 
flefh  of  my  flefh."  "  Therefore  flialla  man  leave  his 
father  and  mother  and  cleave  tohis  wife."  Therefore 
becaufe  of  the  previous  union  that  was  the  ground  of 
it,  "  But  I  fpeak,"  fays  the  Apoftle,  "  Conccmmg 
Christ  and  the  church,"  this  holds  forth  the  union 
between  Christ  and  the  church,  prior  to  the  vifible 
marriage  union  which  takes  place  upon  any  of  the 
children  of  men,  being  brought  to  Jesus   Christ  ; 

who 


2o8         Tb  HUSBAND'S  and  WIVils. 

who  fays,  <*  For  no  man  can  come  to  me,  except  the 
Father  which  hath  fent  me,  draw  him." 

In  Ro?nans  xvi.  7,  Andronicus  and  Junia,  are  fpake 
of  as  in  Christ  before  the  Apoftle,  though  they 
were  together  chofen  in  Christ  before  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world.  Thus  is  the  whole  church  in, 
Christ,  in  the  moil:  univerfal  fenfe :  He  ftands  an- 
fwering  fully  to  the  figure  of  him  that  was  to  come, 
the  head  of  every  man,  as  univerfally  as  Adam  was. 
In  this  view  there  is  a  union  or  connetlion  of  head 
and  members,  even  before  the  members  aBually  ap- 
pear. "  And  for  this  caufe  fhall  a  man  leave  fa- 
tlier  and  mother  and  cleave  to  his  wife."  Jesus 
Christ  left  father  and  mother  in  cleaving  to  his 
wife;  John  xvi.  28,  "I  came  forth  of  the  father, 
and  am  come  into  the  world."  In  Matthew  xii.  47, 
1050,  and  Mark  iii.  32,  to  35,  His  attention  to  what 
he  had  to  do  for  his  church,  was  not  diverted  by  his 
mother.*  [esus  took  the  churches  circumftances  as 
his  own;  took  her  debts  upon  himfelf;  undertook  to 
look  after  her  when  loft  ;  and  in  purfuance  of  his  un- 
dertaking, gave  his  life  for  her.  "  Even  as  Christ 
loved  the  church  and  gave  himfelf  for  it,"  fhe  wears 
his  name,  is  complete  in  him,  "  who  of  God  is  made 
unto  her  wifdom,  righteoufnefs,  fanftification,  and  re- 
demption." It  is  vilibly  fo  with  refpeft  to  thofe  that 
are  brought  by  the  gofpel  to  the  knowledge  of,  faith 
in,  and  fubjeftion  to,  him  :  It  was  really  fo  in  the 
purpofe  and  purchafe  of  }esus  Christ,  before  they 
came  to  the  knowledge  of  him,  and  is  really  forefpec- 
ivting  thofe  who  yet  know  him  not,  live  in  unbelief  and" 
difobedience  ;  for,  fays  the  Apoftle,  Hebrews  ii.  8, 
"  Thou  haft  put  all  things  in  fubje6lion  under  his  feet; 
for  in  that  he  put  all  in  fubjcdion,  he  left  nothing 
not  put  under  him  ;  but  now  we  fee  not  yet  all  things 
put  under  him  :  But  we  fee  Jesus  for  the  fufferingS 

of 
*  Is  it  not  the  true  antitype  of  Levi  i  Deutreonomy    xxxiii.  8^  9. 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES,         209 

of  death  crowned  with  glory  and  honor,  that  he,  by 
the  grace  of  God,  fiiould  taf^e  death  for  every  man.'* 
And  the  prophet  Ifaiah  gives  us  the  divine  oaih  for 
this, chap. xlv.  22,"  Look  unto  me,"  (the  jufl  God  and 
the  Savior)  "  And  beyefaved,  all  the  ends  of  the  earth, 
fori  God  and  none  elfe;  I  have  fworn  by  myfelf, 
the  word  is  gone  out  of  m^mouth  in  righteoulnefs, 
and  fhall  not  return,  that  to  me  every  knee  fliall  bow, 
every  tongue  fliall  fwear,  furely  fhall  fay,  in  the  Lord 
have  I  righteoufnefs  and  ftrength,  to  him  fliall  come;" 
which  muft  make  all  that  are  incenfed  againfl:  him 
afliamed. 

The  name  of  the  vifiblc  church  is,  "  The  Lord 
our  righteoufnefs."  All  that  are  brought  to  him  call 
him  fo,  and  are  denominated  by  it,  "  'tis  the  name 
whereby  flie  fliall  be  called."  But  we  have  the  di- 
vine oath,  that  "  every  knee  fliall  bow,  and  every 
tongue  fliall  fwear,  furely  fliall  fay,  in  the  Lord  have 
I  righteoufnefs  and  ftrength."  The  time  and  man- 
ner is  with  him,  who  faith,  "  I  will  work,  and  who 
fliall  let  it ;"  "  Who  will  have  all  men  to  be  faved 
and  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  ;  for  there  is 
one  God,  even  one  mediator,  of  God  and  man,  the 
man  Christ  Jesus,  who  gave  himfelf  a  ranfom  for 
all,  to  be  teftified  in  due  time." 

In  Christ  Jesus,  God  manifefl;  in  the  flefli,  we 
have  the  fullnels  of  the  divine  nature,  as  is  exprefled 
in  Hebrews  i.  3,  ",  Who  beingthe  brightnefs  of  glory 
and  the  exprefs  image  of  his  perfon."  Colojjians  ii.  9, 
<'  For  in  him  dwellcth  all  the  fullnefs  of  the' godhead 
bodily ;"  who  could  fay,  "  I  and  Father  arc 
one." 

Is  there  not  the  fullnefs  of  the  human  nature  alfo 
in  him  ?  The  Apoftle  fays,  "  we  are  members  of  his 
body,  of  his  flefh,  and  of  his  bones,"  Who  does  he 
mean  ?  Doubtlefs  the  church,  the  apoflles,  the  firft 
«Ufciples,  the  church  of  the  Ephefians,  who  v/ere 
D  d  vifiblv 


ijia         To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES. 

vifibly  fo,  and  thofe  who  fhould  believe  through  their 
word,  in  every  age  ;  yea,  all  for  whom  Jesus  Christ 
gave  himfelf.  The  church,  in  the  moft  extenfive 
fenfe,  are  in  this  union,  and  arc  reprefented  travel- 
ing together  in  pain,  till  the  manifeftation  of  it.  Ro- 
mans viii.  2  2,  "  For  we  know  that  the  whole  creation," 
it  is  the  fame  word  we  have  in  Mark  xvi.  15,"  preach 
the  gofpel  to  every  creatwe  ;"  therefore  every  crea- 
ture that  the  gofpel  is  to  be  preached  to,  "  groancth 
and  traveleth  in  pain  together  ;  and  not  only  they, 
but  we  ourfelves  that  have  the  firft  fruits,  even  wc 
ourfclves  groan  within  ourfelves,  wailing  for  the 
adoption,  the  redemption  of  our  body."  By  the  re- 
demption of  our  body,  I  conceive  the  idea  of  the 
body  of  which  Jefus  is  the  head,  as  captivated,  enflav- 
ed,  fold,  and  groaning  under  this  bondage  ;  and  thofe 
whofe  minds  have  been  led  to  an  underftanding  of 
redemption  by  Christ,  though  their  minds  are 
thereby  relieved,  yet  groaning,  waiting  for  the  adop- 
tion, the  redemption   of  the  whole  body. 

Now  that  in  Jesus  Christ  there  is  the  fullnefs  of 
the  human  nature,  is  it  not  evident  from  the  confi- 
deration  of  Genejis  v.  2,  where  we  read  of  our  firft 
parents  in  their  primitive  ftatc,  "  male  and  female 
.created  he  them,  and  blefled  them,  and  called  their 
name  Adam,  in  the  day  they  were  created."  Whom 
he  bleffes  are  blefied  ;  for  his  gifts  are  without  repen- 
tance. So  when  we  have  the  account  of  their  being 
feduced  from  theirallegiance,brought  under  bondage, 
and  led  captive  by  fatan,  the  curfe  is  denounced  up- 
on the  ferpent,  Genejis  in.  14  ;  but  the  way  opened 
through  which  the  original  bleffednefs,  pronounced 
in  the  day  they  were  created,  fhould  beaccomplifhed, 
verfe  15,  although  they  could  not  fin  without  finart  and 
forrow  ;  to  the  woman,  I  will  greatly  multiply  thy 
forrow  ;  in  forrow  Ihalt  thou  bring  forth  children," 
&:c. — to  the  man,  "  curfed  is  the  ground  for  thy  fake; 

in 


To  HUSBANDS  AND  WIVES.  211 

in  forrow  flialt  thou  eat  it  all  the  days  of  thylife,"&c. 
And  as  the  way  in  which    the  original   blcffing   that 
was  forfeited  was  to  be  reftorcd  and  confirmed,  was 
brought  to  view  in  the  i5*hverre;  fo  it  is  repeated  and 
illudrated  in  Gni.  xii.   3,  xvi.ii.  ,18,  xx.  18,  and  xxvi. 
4,  "  In  thy  feed  fliall  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be 
bleflcd."     This  the  apollle?  call  "  preaching  the  gof- 
pel  to  Abraham,"  Gala/tans  iii,    18,    'Tis  agreeable 
to  Deuteronomy  xxxii.  43,  "  rejoice,  O  ye  nations, 
his  people  ;"  Pfalm  Ixxii.  11,  "  all  nations  fliall  ferve 
him,"  verfe  17,  "  all  nations  fhall  call  him  blefled  ;" 
Pfalm  Ixxxii.  8,  "  arife  O  God,  for  thou  fhalt  inherit 
all  nations  ;"  Pfulm  ii,  8,  "  afk  of  me,  and  I  will  give 
the  heathen  thine  inheritance,  and  the  utmoft  parts  of 
the  earth  thy  poflefFion  ;"  Pfalm  Ixxxvi.  9,  "  all  na- 
tions fhall  come  and  worfiiip  before  thee,  and  glorify 
thy  name."  Pfalm  c.  all  the  earth  are  called  upon  to 
make  a  joyful  noife  to  the  Lord,  on  account  of  his 
making  us  his  people,  and   the  fiieep  of  his  pafture  : 
"  Know  ye."  Who  is  to  know  ?  Anfwer,all  the  earth. 
Know  ye  that  the  Lord,  he  God,  *he  hath  made  us, 
and  not  we  ourfelves,  his  people  and  the  fiieep  of  his 
pafture.     Agreeable   to  Pfahi  cxvii.  "  O  praife  the 
Lord."  Who  .?  All  ye  nations  >  praife  him  all  ye  peo- 
ple."    Where  are  any  exempted  ?  "  For  his  merci- 
ful kindnefsis  great  tov/ards  us."  Towards  who  ?  All 
the  earth,  as  extenhve  as  the  call  to  praife   him. — 
"  And  the  truth  of  the  Lord  forever;  praife  ye  the 
Lord."     His   merciful  kindncfs  ;  how  is  the    great- 
nefs  of  it  made  manifeft,  and  how   doth  the   truth  of 
the  Lord  appear  to  endure  forever,butinhim,  "  who 
is  the  mercy  and  the  truth,"  in  him  "  in  whom   all 
nations  are  blelfed,"  in  him  "  in  whom  thou  wilt  per- 
form the  truth  to  Jacob  and  the  mercy  to  Abraham^ 
which  thou  hall  fworn  to  our  fathers  in  the  days  of 
old.  Now 

*  I  read  this  vecfe  without  the  words  fupplied  by  the  tranflators. 


212  To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES. 

Now  this  bleflednefs  of  the  nations,  of  which  thefe 
paflages  fpeak,  was  to  have  its  accompUfliment  in  the 
feed  oi  Abraham.  "  In  thy  feed  ;"  which  is  Christ* 
Galatians  iii.  6,  Now  if  all  the  nations  of  the  earth 
•sre  included  in  the  bleffednefs  in  Christ  Jesus,  they 
are  in  him  as  their  head  ;  there  is  the  fullnefs  of  the 
human  nature  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  fo  they  were  con- 
iidered  in  him  before  the  evidences  of  it  appeared  in 
Or  upon  any  of  them  ;  and  becaufe  of  this  union,  he 
is  engaged  in  all  he  doth  for  them,  to  bring  them  to 
himfdf.  "  This  is  now  bone  of  my  bone,  and  flefh 
of  my  flelh  ;  fhe  fhall  be  called  woman,  becaufe  flie 
was  taken  out  of  man."  "  Therefore,"  becaufe  of  the 
previous  union,  "  fliall  a  man  leave  his  father  and 
mother  and  cleave  to  his  wife,  and  they  fhall  be  one 
flefh  :  This  is  a  great  myftery,  but,"  fays  the  apoftle, 
"I  fpeak  concerning  Christ  and  the  church.""  This 
is  now  bone  of  my  bone,  and  flefh  of  my  flefh  ;  fhe 
fliall  be  called  woman  ;"  flie  fliall  wear  my  name, 
come  into  a  vifible  connexion  and  intercourfe  with 
me,  be  interefled  in  what  I  am  and  have,  Sec.  So  in 
confequence  of  this  union  fhall  the  church,  in  the 
mod  extenfive  fenfe,  even  every  member,  from  all  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  be  brought  to  Jesus  Christ,  in 
his  times,  who  is  the  bleffed  and  only  potentate  ;  fhall 
bear  his  name  ;  be  called  by  the  name  which  the 
mouth  of  the  Lord  doth  name  :  Tisby  his  authority 
we  are  affured,  fhe  fhall  be  called  "  the  Lord  our 
righteoufnefs."  Thefe  things  fliall  be  made  manifefl 
when  Pjdm  xlv.  15.  15,  and  Pfalm  Ixxii.  from  the 
9th  to  the  end  of  the  15th  verfe>  have  their  accom- 
pliihment. 

Againfl:  what  has  been  brought  to  view,  particu- 
larly in  the  feveral  quotations  from  the  Pfalms,  ariles 
this  objection,  that  the  apoftle  appears  to  apply  fuch 
paffages  to  thofe  gathered  by  the  gofpel  from  among 
the  Gentiles ;  not  to  the  Gentiles,  in  fo  extenfive  i 

manner 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES.         213 

jnanncr,  as  is  cxprefTed  in  the  Pfalpis }  and  fo  diofe 
paffages  are  to  be  underftpod  In  the  Umitted  fenfc 
ufed  by  the  apoftles,  who  direft  their  cpiftles  to  iht 
believers  of  their  teflimony,  cpUefted  from  among 
the  Gentiles. 

To  this  it  may  be  anfwered,  that  the  epiftles  of  th? 
apoflles  were  wrote  to  vifible  churches,  and  vilible 
believers,  for  their  exprefs  direction  in  their  conduQ: 
towards  God,  and  one  another,  and  are  left  on  re- 
cord for  the  fame  end,  to  all  believers  in  all  ages,  as 
none  but  fuch  as  are  led  to  the  knowledge  of  Jesus 
Christ,  were  capable  of  underftanding  the  grace 
there  made  manifeft,  and  the  obligations  thence  ^nf- 
ing  to  glorify  him  in  their  fpirits  and  bodies  which 
are  his;  but  yet  it  is  evident  they  were  defigned  as  ^ 
means  of  communication  of  the  knowledge'ofCHRis"?^ 
to  mankind  in  general.     See  Ephejians  i.  9,  10. 

Ephefians  ii.  4  to  7,  "  But  God  who  is  rich  ia 
mercy,  for  his  great  love,  wherewith  he  hath  loved 
us,  even  when  we  were  dead  in  fins,  hath  quickene4 
Us  together  with  Christ,  and  hath  laifed  us  up  to- 
gether, and  made  us  fit  together  in  heavenly  places 
m  Christ  Je^us."  For  what  end?  "  That  in  thi? 
ages  to  come,  he  might  (hew  the  exceeding  riches  of 
his  grace  in  kindnefs  towards  us,  through  Christ 
Jesus."  And  in  the  3d  chapter,  from  the  id  verfe, 
we  have  the  end  of  the  difpenfation  of  grace,  given 
to  the  apoftle  towards  the  Ephefians,  "  how  that  by 
revelation  he  made  known  unto  me  the  myllery, 
which  in  other  ages  was  not  made  known  unto  tha 
fons  of  men,  as  it  is  now  revealed  unto  his  holj^ 
apoftles  and  prophets  by  the  fpirit,  that  the  Qenliles 
(hould  be  fellow  heirs,  and  of  the  fame  body,  and 
partakers  of  his  promife,  in  Chrift  by  the  gofpel  un- 
to  me,  who  am  lefs  than  the  lead  of  all  faints,  is  this 
grace  given,  that  I  fliould  preach  among  tlie  Gentiles 
the  unl(;^^fcl,\^,le  riches  of  Christ,  and  to  make  ali. 

''- ~  MEN, 


214        To  HUSBANDS  amd  WIVES. 

MEN,  fee  what  the  fellowfhip  of  the  myfteiy,  which 
from  the  beginning  of  the  world,  hath  been  hid  in 
God,  who  created  all  things  by  Jesus  Christ." 

Here  we  have  glad  tidings  to  all  men  ;  to  ages 
to  come  ;  to  all  things  in  Heaven  and  earth,  in  what 
divine  grace  did  for,  and  among  the  apoftles  and 
Ephefians.  The  5th  Romans,  from  the  14th  to  the 
end,  and  ift  oi  Cor.nihiam^v.  15.  19,  fhew  the  fame 
thing,  but  have  been  already  mentioned  and  need  not 
be  repeated. 

Thus  the  fecond  inquiry  has  been  attended  to,  viz. 
How  doth  marriage  convey  as  in  a  myftery,  the  un- 
ion of  Chtift  and  the  church  ? 

From  what  has  been  brought  to  view,  we  fee  the 
obligations  thofe  are  under,  that  are  brought  to  the 
faith  of  the  gofpel,  to  colleO:  together  in  the  profeffion 
of  his  name,  and  fubjeclion  to  his  authority,  after  the 
example  of  the  firft  difciples  in  the  firft  churches,  to 
the  fame  end,  which  will,  I  conceive,  be  the  duty  of 
the  difciples  till  the  fecond  coming  of  Jesus  Christ, 
or  till  all  things  are  put  under  his  feet ;  till  which 
time,  he  will  ufe  the  fame  means  to  the  fame  end. — 
Much  might  be  faid  here,  "  but  except  the  Lorb 
build  the  houfe,  they  labour  in  vain  that  build  it." 

And  not  only  their  obligations  to  (land  forth  in  the 
profeffion  of  his  name,  obfcrving  the  order  of  the  gof- 
pel, as  praBifed  by  the  firft  churches,  but  their  obli- 
gations to  an  attention  to  all  the  precepts  of  the  new 
teftament,  concerning  their  condutl  in  every  relation 
they  fuftain  ;  particularly  that  of  hufband  and  wife, 
which  the  apoftle  has  in  view  in  the  paflage  before  us, 
beginning  with  the  wives,  verfe  22,  "  Wives 
fubmit  yourfelves  unto  your  own  hufbands,  as  unto 
the  Lord."  Col.  iii.  18,  "  as  it  is  fit  in  the  Lord." 
Titus  ii.  4,  "  That  they  may  teach  the  young  women 
to  be  fober,  to  love  their  hufbands,  to  love  their 
children,  difcrete,  chaftcj  keepers  at  home,  good,  obe- 
dient 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES.  215 

dicnt  to  their  hufbands,  that  the  name  of  God  and 
his  do6lrine  be  not  blarphemed."  id  of  Peier,  iii. 
to  the  end  of  the  6th  verfe,  "  Likewife  ye  wives  in 
fubjeftion  to  your  own  hufbands ;  that  if  any  obey- 
not  the  word,  they  alfo  may  without  the  word,  be 
won  by  the  couverfation  of  the  wives,  while  they  be- 
hold your  chaflc  converfation,  coupled  with  fear." 

In  thefe  pafFages,  the  duty  of  the  wives  is  made 
plain  ;  inculcated  and  enforced  from  the  obligations 
to  JjKsus  Christ,  "  as  unto  the  Lord,  as  it  is  fit  in 
the  Lord  ;"  which  fhews  thfi  duty  of  the  wife  to  flow 
from  the  authority  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  be  di- 
reCled  by  his  will  :  So  that  in  all  her  attention  and 
fubmifTion  to  her  hufband,  the  authority  and  direc- 
tions of  Jesus  Christ  are  ever  to  be  kept  in  view, 
as  the  firil  motive  the  apoftle  ufes,  and  truly  it  is  no 
barren  one,  but  full  of  excitation.  The  believing 
wife  may  thus  think  with  herfelf,  While  I  am  attend- 
ing my  duty  to  my  hufband,  the  ever  bleffed  Jesus, 
in  his  adorable  condefcenfion,  is  pleafed  to  accept 
me  as  attending  to  him  :  Therefore,  as  to  the  Lord, 
will  be  mufical  in  her  mind,  and  excite  to  chear- 
fulnefs  tlicrein.  The  fecond  motive,  if  it  be  a  dif- 
tinftone,  is,  "that  the  name  of  God  and  his  doc- 
trine be  not  blafphemed."  Titus  ii.  4,  5,  "That 
they,"  the  aged  women,  "  may  teach  the  young  wo- 
men to  be  fober,  to  love  their  hufbands,  to  love  their 
children." — Wives  are  not  only  taught  fubmiHion  to 
their  hufbands  from  a  fenfe  of  duty,  but  "  to  love 
their  hufbands,  to  love  their  children  ;"  which  will 
excite  tliem,  from  inward  affcQion,  ever  to  be  ftudy- 
ing  and  purfuing  their  comfort  and  happinefs,  while 
their  own  is  increafcd  by  the  comfort  of  love  :  And 
when  to  the  motive,  "as  unto  the  Lord,"  is  joined 
the  "  love  of  hufbands  and  children,  good,  obedient 
to  their  own  hufbands,  that  the  name  of  God  and 
bis  dotlrine  be  not  blafphemed,"   will  follow  ;  will 

follow. 


'2i6         To  HUSi5ANDS  and  WIVES. 

follow,  did  I  fay  !  is  it  not  infeparably  interwoven  ? 
O  my  Jesus  !  is  thy  name  and  do6lrine  concerned 
in  my  loS'^e  and  duty  to  my  hufband  and  children ; 
how  happy  hail:  thou  made  me,  in  making  love,which 
is  my  happinefs,  my  duty  ;  and  bringing  thy  name 
and  dotlrine  to  my  continual  view,  may  it  never  be 
blafphenned  by  my  evil  condu6l  towards  my  hufband 
and  children  ;  methought  I  moved  in  a  low  fphere 
in  attending  daily  to  them,  but  now  I  find  I  am  ex- 
alted to  wait  on  my  Lord  ;  he  has  been  pleafed  to 
comcfiTt  his  name  and  doftrine  to  my  daily  care  : 
Angels  have  not  higher  employment  than  is  appoint- 
ed me,  in  the  very  place  where  he  hath  placed  me  ; 
and  when  1  dwell  in  love,  I  dwell  in  him.  The  third 
motive,  "  that  if  any  obey  not  the  word,  they  alfo 
may,  without  the  word,  be  won  by  the  converfation 
of  the  wives,  while  they  behold  your  chafte  conver- 
fation with  fear,"  mufl  alfo  be  a  powerful  one,  in  the 
minds  of  believing  wives,  to  an  attention  to  the  hid- 
den man  of  the  heart,  in  that  which  is  not  corrupti- 
ble, of  a  meek  and  quiet  fpirit,  which  is  in  the  fight 
of  God  of  great  price.  If  by  the  hidden  man  of  the 
heart,  we  under  (land  Christ  dwelling  in  the  hearts 
of  believers  by  faith,  we  are  led  to  that  which  is  not 
corruptible,  and  to  the  pattern,  fountain,  and  foun- 
dation of  a  meek  and  quiet  fpirit,  which  indeed,  in 
the  fight  of  God,  is  of  great  price.  In  Malihew  xu 
2g,  Jesus  Christ  fays,  "Learn  of  me,  for  I  am 
meek  and  lowly,  and  ye  fhall  find  reft  to  your  fouls." 
The  believing  wives  underftand  Jefus  Chrift  to  be 
the  green  olive-tree,  from  whence  this  fruit  is  found. 
So  did  their  examples  in  the  old  times  ;  "  The  holy 
women  who  trufted  in  God,  and  thus  adorned  them- 
felves,  being  in  -fubjeftion  to  their  own  hufbands» 
even  as  Sarah  obeyed  Abraham,  calling  him  Lord, 
w^hofe  daughters  ye  are  as  long  as  ye  do  well,  and  are 
BOt  afraid  with  any  amazement."      What  doth  that 

import  ? 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES.  217 

import  ?  So  long  as  you  aire  influenced  by  your  duty 
to  Jesus  Christ,  tcT attend  your  duty  as  wives,  you 
appear  to  be  tbe  children,  the  followers,  or  imitators 
Dfthe  holy  women  who  trulled   in  God  ;  to  belong 
to  that  family  ;  and   need  not  be  afraid   with    any 
amazement ;  for  if  our  hearts  condemn  us  not,  then 
have  \vc  confidence  towards  God.     But  if  inilead  of 
attention  to  the  direttions  of  the  Apoflles  of  Christ, 
there  is  giving  heed  to  temptation,  not  contented  in 
«  modeft  apparel,   with   fhame-facednefs,  and  fobri- 
cty,"   but  giving  way  to  a  prevailing  folicitude  for 
"  the  outward  adorning  of  plating  the  hair,"  and  of 
*'  wearing  of  gold,  pearls  and  coilly  array,"  you  will 
appear  to  be  under  the  influenceof  your  lufts ;  to  be 
walking  according  to  the    courfe  of  this  world;  ac*- 
cording  to  the  prince  of  the   power  of  the  air,  the 
fpiritthatnowworketh  in  the  children  of  difobedience; 
and  the  tendency  of  it  will  be  to  darknefs  and  fear 
with  amazement,  more  efpecially  at  times  when  there 
is  mofl  need  of  confolation.     It  certainly  doth  not 
become   women  profefling  godlinefs,  to  be  thus  ad- 
orned ;  but  it  bccometh  them    to    be    adorned  with 
good  works.     Certainly  there  appears  ability  for  the 
good  works  of  the  gofpel ;  fuch  as  feeding  the  hun- 
gry and  cloathing  the   naked,  at  leaft   as   far  as  the 
price  of  the    gold,  pearls   and  coftly  array  beyond 
modell  apparel,  that  they  wear  ;  when  the  wearing  it 
can  be  of  no  ufe,  except  evidencing  their  inattention 
.  to  the  fcripture,  which  prohibits  their  wearing  it ;  or 
what  is  worfe,  oppofition  to  them.     In   which   cafe 
they  may  be  advifed   to  read  James  v.  1,2,  3,  with 
fober  attention,  which  will  fhew   fuch  a   conduct  to 
tend  to  fear  with  amazement ;  which  chriftian  wo- 
men ought  to  turn  from  ;  to  walk  in  love  to  Jesus 
Christ,  to   their  hufbands  and  children,  according 
to  the  direflions  of  the  apoftles  of  Jesus  Christ, 
which  tends  to  call  out  the   fear  that  has  torment. 
E  e  Vviile 


?i8         To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES, 

Verfe  24.  "  Therefore,  as  the  church  is  fubje6l  to 
CHRisTJfolet  the  wives  to  theirownhufbands,  in  every 
thing."  Which  fhews  the  duty  of  wives  to  fubmit  to 
and  feek  to  pleafe  their  hufl^ands,  in  every  thing  that 
is  not  contrary  to  the  mind  of  Jesus  Christ,  "as  it  is 
fit  in  the  Lord."  When  the  wife  makes  this  the 
rule  of  her  condu6l,  fhe  purfues  her  own  happinefs  in 
connexion  with  her  hufband's.  When  his  will  is 
contrary  to  the  mind  of  Christ,  or  would  wifli  hir, 
wife  to  do  that  fhe  is  afraid  will  incur  his  difpleafure, 
file  is  then  only  to  point  out  her  reafons  from  the 
word,  and  to  perfevere  in  attention  to  the  will  of  Je- 
sus Christ.  But  when  fhe  fets  up  her  own  will  in 
oppofition  to  her  hufband,  and  glories  in  a  vitlory 
over  him,  however  flie  may  feem  to  gratify  herfeli', 
fhe  will  find  it  leads  to  future  fhame,  and  fear  with 
amazement. 

W^e  have  alfo,  in  the  paiTage  before  us,  verfe  25, 
"  Hufbands  love  your  wives,  even  as  Christ  alio 
loved  the  church,  and  gave  himfelf  for  it,"  Sec. 
Verfe  28,  29,  and  30,  "  So  ought  men  to  love  their 
wives  as  their  own  bodies ;  he  that  loveth  his  wife 
loveth  himfelf:  For  no  man  ever  yet  hated  his  own 
flefh,  but  nourifheth  and  cherifheth  it,  even  as  the 
Lord  the  church.  For  we  are  members  of  his  bo- 
dy, of  his  fJefli,  and  of  his  bones."  From  this  paf- 
fage,  together  with  Colojfians  iii.  1 9,  and  ift  of  Peter ^ 
iii.  7,  we  may  colleR  the  mind  of  Jesus  Christ,  as 
fignified  by  the  apoflles,  concerning  the  duty  of  huf- 
bands. "Tis  comprehended  in  love.  "  Hufbands 
love  your  wives."  Love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law, 
and  the  rule  or  meafure  of  the  love  of  the  huf- 
band to  the  wife,  is,  "  as  Christ  loved  the  church, 
and  gave  himfelf  for  it,  that  he  might  fanBify  and 
cleanfe  it,  with  the  wafliing  of  water  .by  the  word  ; 
that  he  might  make*  it  to  himfelf  a  glorious  church, 

not 

*  See  the  former  tranflation. 


To  HUSBANDS  anu  WIVES.  219 

rot  having   fpot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  fuch  thing,  but 
that  itfhoiild  be  holy  and  without  blemifli." 

"  -Jesus  Christ  loved  the  church,  and  gave  him- 
felfforit."  "  Hufl^ands  love  your  wives,  even  as 
Christ  loved  the  church."  .  Did  Jesus  Christ 
give  himfelf ;  ayd  am  I,  or  have  I  any  thing  that  is 
for  the  comfort  and  happinefs  of  my  wife,  that  thro' 
covetoufnefs  or-  felf  will  I  may  withhold  from  her, 
and  yet  manifefi;  I  love  her  as  Christ  loved  the 
church  ?  Jesus  Christ  paid  the  church's  debt,  re- 
deemed her  from  captivity,  directed  her  in  her  duty, 
fupplied  her  wants,  knows  how  to  have  compaffion, 
on  the  ignorant,  and  them  that  are  without  of  the  way  : . 
He  took  her  circumftances  of  want,  diftrefs  and  mife-' 
ry  upon  himfelf,  and  communicates  of  hisfulnefs  un- 
to her ;  is  of  God  made  to  us  wifdom,  righteouf- 
nefs,  fanftification  and  redemption  ;"  and  is  in  all  an 
example  to  dired  the  love  of  the  hufband  to  his 
wife  ;  that  he  attend  to  all  her  wants,  diftreffes  and 
miferies  ;  to  relieve  and  fupply  them  according  to 
his  meafure.  And  when  any  thing  appears  in  the 
condu6l  of  the  wife  inconfiftent  with  her  duty,  as  the 
hufband  is  the  head  of  the  v/ife,  he  is  to  point  out 
her  duty  from  the.  word.  "  Jesus  Christ  gave  him- 
felf for  the  church,  that  he  might  fanclify  and  cleanfe 
it,  with  the  wafhing  of  water  by  the  word."  If  the 
word  be  made  ule  of  in  the  exercife  of  love,  the 
tendency  and  efficacy  would  be  to  heal,  as  it  would 
always  bring  Christ's  authority  to  the  view  of  the 
wife,  and  keep  his  example  in  the  view  of  the  huf- 
band, and  guard  again  ft  the  evil  cautioned  againft  in 
Col.  iii.  19,  "  hulbauds  love  your  wives,  and  be  not 
bitter  againft  them."  Remember  that  bitiernefs  al- 
ways fp rings  from'  the  root,  of  bitternefs ;  "  the  root 
that  beareth  gall'  and  worn'iwood,  from  the  turning 
away  from  the  root  of  the  righteous,  that  beareth 
fruit."     Yet  fo  great  is  the  deceitfulnefs  of  our  own  ^ 

hearts. 


220  To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES. 

hearts,  and  fo  imperceptible  the  prevalence  of  the 
enemy,  transformed  into  an  angel  of  light,  that  this 
bitternefs  may  appear  to  fpring  from  a  fort  of  religi- 
ous ignorance,  or  a  miftaken  religious  zeal. 

When  we  read,  '•  That  the  hufband  is  the  head  of 
the  wife,"  and  that  it  is  his  duty  to  riijle  v/ell  his  own 
houfe,  a  ftrange  notion  of  headfhip  and  rule  may 
take  place,  that  upon  every  flight  occafion  there  is  a 
bitter  refolution  ;  I  will  be  mafter  of  my  own  houfe ; 
I  will  be  minded  ;  it  is  my  duty,  &:c.  That  inftead 
of  viewing  the  head  as  the  feat  of  wifdom,  care  and 
tendernefs,  it  is  viewed  as  the  feat  of  domineering  j 
as  if  its  only  care  was  to  fee,  that  my  will  may  be 
done  ;  and  perhaps  for  no  fault,  only  that  a  particular 
humour  is  not  pleafed,  there  will  be  a  flamp  on  the 
floor,  enough  to  make  all  ring  again,  and  the  huf- 
band hold  himfelf  not  guilty,  from  a  religious  zeal  to 
be  minded  to  rule  his  own  houfe.  If  I  find  out  the 
man,  can  he  be  offended  if  I  fhould  inquire.  Dear 
Sir,  where  find  you  this  in  the  example  of  Jesus 
Christ  ? 

From  this  caufe  often  proceeds  fuch  difcontent 
with  that  which  the  induftrious  wife  has  endeavored 
to  prepare,  with  as  much  agreeablenefs  to  her  huf- 
band, as  the  means  he  had  put  into  her  hands  was  ca- 
pable of;  that  he  will  delpife  both  it  and  her  ;  and 
inftead  of  coming  with  gratitude,  thankfgiving  and 
fatisfa6lion  to  his  meals,  as  that  which  fliews  his  in- 
creafing  and  perpetual  obligation  to  eat,  drink  and 
do  all  to  the  glory  of  God,  there  will  be  bitter  uneafi- 
nefs  through  the  whole  of  the  time  calculated  for  fa- 
mily enjoyment  and  happinefs.  If  there  be  fuch  a 
man,  fliall  I  put  him  in  mind,  that  when  Jesus  fed 
the  multitude  with  barley  bread  and  fifh,  he  gave 
thanks  j  and  when  Paul,  and  thofe  with  him  on  board 
the  fliip,  were  about  to  eat,  "  he  took  the  bread  and 
gave  thanks  to  God  in  prcfence   of  them  all,  and 

when 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES.  22t 

when  he  liad  broken,  he  began  to  cat  ;    then    were 
they  all  of  good  chear,  and  they  alfo   took  meat." — 
Dear  Sir,  ihanklgiving  to  God,  and  all  of  good  chear, 
becomes  a  Chriftian's  Table,  which  the  head   of  the 
family  is  to  lead  in  :*  Every   thing    coritrary   comes 
from  the  root  of  bitternefs,   however  difordered  the 
head  may  be,  fo  as  not  to   fee  whence   it  is.     The 
caution,  "  be  not   bitter  againft  them,"  is  to  be  at- 
tended to  through  the  whole  of  the  condud  of  the 
hulband  to  the  wife,  with  whom  he   is  to   "  dwell  ac- 
cording to  knowledge."     The  above  defcribed    con- 
dutl  muft  flow  from  ignonmce  and  blindnefs,  from 
the  God  of  this  world  blniding  the  mind,  though  it 
be  with   a   religious  zeal  for  his  own   honor  as  the 
head  of  the  wife,  while  the  honor  that  is  to  be  given 
to  the  wife  as  the  weaker  velTel,  as  his  own  flefh,  as 
now,  "  bone  of  his  bone,  and  flefh  of  his   flefh,  a:» 
heirs  together  of  the  grace  of  life,"  is  not  attended  to, 
and  dieir  mutual  prayers  are  hereby  hindered. 

I  have  been  the  longer  on  this,  becaufe  this  evil 
may  proceed  from  ignorance,  and  the  temptation  in 
it  not  difcovered,  whicb,  when  brought  to  light,  may 
be  the  Iboner  turned  from  ;  for  certainly,  if  a  man 
find  a  pronenefs  to  tliefe  or  the  like  evils,  in  his  tem- 
per, it  will  be  natural  to  feek  a  hiding  place,  to  ex- 
cufe  and  juftify  himlelf,  and  no  where  can  he  find 
one  more  eafy,  than  under  a  cloak  of  falfe  religion. 
But  when  the  true  caufe  or  fource  is  difcovered  to 
himfelf,  he  muft  conclude,  that  it  is  more  agreeable 
to  his  duty,  when  he  finds  a  legal,  fretful,  frowarddif- 
pofition  working  in  him,  only  waiting  an  opportunity 
of  breaking  forth,  to  get  alone,  and  take  fliame  to 
himfelf,  before  him  to  whom  all  things  are  naked  and 
open,  who  is  "  the  great  High  Prieft  that  is  pafTed 
into  the  heavens,.  Jesus  the  i'on  of  God,  touched  with 
the  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  in  all  points  tempted  as 

we 

♦  See  the  appendix. 


222  To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES. 

we  are,  without  fin,"  and  take  encourarrement  from 
him,  "  to  afk  mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help,  in  time 
of  need,"  and  take  his  example  with  him  into  his  fa- 
mily  ;  who  fays,  "learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and 
lowly."  Whence  proceeds  a  gofpel  difpofition,  which 
is  meek  and  quiet. 

Now  then,  if  there  be  any  in  this  honourable  rela- 
tion, "  HEAD  OF  THE  WIFE,  EVEN  AS 
CHRIST  IS  HEAD  OF  THE  CHURCH,"  who 
with  their  mouths  fliew  much  love  to  "  the  grace  of 
God  that  bringeth  falvation  to  all  men  that  hath  ap- 
peared," who  are  fo  far  from  foberly  attending  to  its 
teaching  "to  deny  ungodlinefs  and  worldly  lafts,and 
to  live  foberly,  righteoufiy  and  godly,  looking  for 
the  blelfed  hope,  and  the  glorious  appearing  of  the 
great  God  and  our  Saviour,  Jesus  CHRisT;-who 
gave  himfelf  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all 
iniquity,  arid  purify  us  unto  himfelf  a  peculiar  peo- 
ple zealous  of  good  works,"  that  they  give  themfelves 
over  to  ungodlmefs  and  worldly  lufts^  in  fuch  a  man- 
ner, as  to  neglect  their  bufinefs,  their  means  of  pro- 
viding for  the  temporal  falvation  and  comfort  of 
their  families  for  idle  company,  and  gaming,  till 
pinched  with  want,  they  are  fretful  and  profane  in 
their  families,  to  a  degree,  that  would  be  a  fcandal  to 
heathens,  whereby  the  name  of  God  and  his  doc- 
trines are  blafphemed.  I  dare  to  appeal  to  their  con- 
fciences,  upon  fober  refleftion  (which  they  muft 
come  to,  whether  they  will  or  no)  whether  their 
hearts  don't  die  within  them  and  become  as  a  ftone. 

I  was  looking  in  my  own  mind,  whether  there  v/ere 
not  a  deception  fome-how  attending  the  temptations, 
by  which  thefe  perfons  are  carried  away.  Perhaps 
they  will  fay,  they  thank  God  they  are  not  as  other 
men,— -worldly,  covetous,  afraid  of  fpending  a  little 
time  or  a  little  money  •  for- their  part  they  don't  de- 
defire  to  have  their  hearts  over-charged  with  cares  of 

this 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES.  223 

this  life,  &<:.  But  do  they  not  fee,  that  this  very 
pra6lice  involves  them  and  their  families  in  the  litmon: 
perplexity  ?  What,  though  they  may  fometimes  ap- 
pear to  gain,  hath  not  divine  truth  faid,  "  wealth 
gotten  by  vanity  fiiall  be  diminifhed  ?"  Yes,  it  flialL 
Divine  power  is  engaged  in  the  caufe  of  divine  truth, 
and  it  fliall  be  accompliOied.  Perhaps  in  this  very 
inftance  in  which  you  gain,  it  is  fulfilled  refpeding 
fonie  other  family. 

When  Jesus  Christ  exhorted  his  difciplcs, 
"  Take  heed  left  your  hearts  be  over  charged  with 
furfeiting  and  drunkennefs,  and  cares  of  this  life,  and 
that  day  come  upon  you  unawares,"  did  he  not  give 

'  'an  example  of  diligence  in  working  the  work  of  him 
that  fent  him  ?  Says  he,  "  my  meat  is  to  do  the  will 
of  him  diat  fent  me,  and  to  finifh  his  work."  Is  it 
not  the  chara6ler  of  his  fpoufe  ?  "  She  worketh  v;il- 
lingly  with  her  hands,  (lie  looketh  well  to  the  ways  of 
her  houfliold,  andeateth  not  the  bread  of  idlenefs." 
And  doth  not  his  Apoftles  direct  his  difciples,  ill  of 
Tliejfalonians^  iv.  11,  12,  "  That  ye  ftudy  to  be  quiet 
and  do  your  own  bufinefs,  and  work  with  your  owa 
hands,  that  ye  may  walk  honeftly  towards  them  that 
are  without,  and  ye  may  have  lack  of  nothing."  2d 
Qk  Thejfalonians^  iii.  11,  12,  "  "We  hear  that  there 
are  fome  that  walk  diforderly,  working  not  at  all,  but 

'  are  bufy  bodies, ;  now  them  that  are  fuch,  we  com- 
mand and  exhort,  by  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  with  qui- 
elnefs  they  work,  and  eat  their  own  bread."  E- 
pjiefians^  iv.  28,  "  Rather  let  him  labour,  working 
with  his  hands  the  things  that  is  good,  that  he  might 
have  to  give  to  him  that  needeth."  In  this  the  Apof- 
tle  was  an  example,  ift  of  TheJJalonians^  ii.  9,  "  For 
labouring  night  and  day,  becaufe  we  would  not  be 
chargeable  unto  any  of  you,  we  preached  unto  you 
the  gofpel  of  God."  Aih  xx.  34,  35,  "  Thefe  hands 
have  minifterdd   to  my  neceflities,  and  to  them  that 

were 


224        To  HUSBAMDS  a.vd  WIVES. 

vere  with  me  :  So  labouring,  ye  ought  td  fiipport  t\\6 
weak,  and  to  remember  the  words  of  our  Lord  Je- 
sus, how  he  faid  it  is  more  bleflsd  to  give  than  to  re- 
ceive.'" 

Let  thcfe  fayings  fmk  down  into  our  ears,  and  let 
us  remember  the  exhortation,  Romans  xiii.  13,  14, 
"  Let  us  walk  honelily  as  in  the  day,  not  in  rioting 
and  drunkennefs,  not  in  chambering  and  wantonnefs, 
not  in  ftrife  and  envy,  but  put  ye  on  the  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ,  and  make  not  provifion  fbr  the  flefli,  to 
fulfil  the  lufts  thereof."  'Tis  all  day  with  him  ;  we 
are  naked  and  open  before  him  ;  "  If  I  fay  the  dark- 
nefs  fhall  cover  me,  even  the  night  fhall  be  light  about 
rae  ;  yea,  the  darknefs  hideth  not  from  thee,  but  the 
night  fliineth  as  the  day ;  the  darknefs  and  the  light 
are  both  alike  to  thee." 

As  the  duty  of  the  hufband  is  now  in  view,  I  would 
take  a  litde  more  particular  notice  of  the  ApoIHe 
Peters  comprehenfive  addrefs  to  them,  all  contained 
in  one  verfe,  ill  epiftle,  iii.  7,  "  Likewife  ye  huf- 
bands  dwell  with  them  according  to  knowledge,  giv- 
ing honour  unto  the  wife  as  to  the  weaker  veffel,  and 
as  being  heirs  together  of  the  grace  of  life,  that  your 
prayers  be  not  hindered." 

'•  Dwell  with  them  according  to  kno^wledge."  This 
may  import  the  knowledge  of  the  myftery  contained 
in  the  marriage  union  :  as  it  is  a  figure  of  the  union" 
of  Christ  and  the  church,  the  knowledge  of  the 
love,  cate,  compaflion,  and  tendernefs,  that  Jesus 
Christ  fhews  to  his  church,  as  an  example  to  the 
hufband,  and  of  what  his  word  and  the  nature  of  the 
marriage  union  binds  upon  them," 

- ''  Giving  honour  to  the  wife  as  to  the  weaker  vef- 
fel."  The  Apoftle  fays,  "  If  one  member  fuffer,  all 
the  members  fuffer  with  it;  and  if  one  member  be 
honoured,  all  the  members  rejoice  with  it."  'Tis 
true  here,  if  the  head  and  hufband  give  honor  to  the 

wife, 


To  HUSBANDS  and  WIVES.  825^ 

^ife,  all  the  fenfible  pans  of  the  family  rejoice  ;  if 
ihe  frequently,  and  without  caufe,  fuffer  his  difplea- 
fure,  all  the  family  fuffer  herein.  But  how  may  I 
undt  [land  this  expreflion,  "  honor  as  to  the  weaker 
vefl'el  ?"  When  I  look  into  the  houfe,  J  fee  the  weak- 
er velTels,  the  glafs,  the  china,  honored  with  the  moft 
attention,  ihe  fafeft  and  moft  honorable  place  afTigned 
to  them  J  they  are  handled  with  the  greateft  care  and 
tendernefs;  and  in  Ifaiah  xxii.  from  the  15th,  I  read, 
that  when  Shebna,  who  looked  upon  himfelf  as  the 
iiail  faftened  in  the  fure  place,  fhould  be  removed, 
cut  down  and  fall,  and  the  burden  on  it  broken,  God 
would  faften  Eliakim,  as  a  type  of  Jesus  Christ, 
as  a  nail  in  a  fure  place  ;  "  And  they  fhall  hang  on 
him  all  the  glory  of  his  Father's  houle,  all  veflels  of 
fmafi  quantity,  from  the  velTels  of  cups,  even  to  all 
the  velTels  of  flaggons."  Here  is  honour  to  the  weak- 
er veflels.  Hence  the  honour  to  the  wife,  denote3 
the  care  and  tendernefs  with  which  fiie  is  to  be  treat- 
ed ;  and  in  all  her  fears,  diftreffes,  and  perplexities, 
to  be  put  in  mind  of  the  nail  in  the  fure  place,  that 
can  never  be  cut  down,  and  falL 

This  is  agreeable  to  what  follows  :  "  And  as  being 
heirs  together  of  the  grace  of  life."  The  grace  of 
life,  is  the  grace  that  reigns  through  righteoufnefs  to 
eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  ;  which 
comes  not  by  works  of  righteoufnefs  which  we  have 
done,  but  according  to  his  mercy.  The  idea  of  heir- 
fhip,  is  the  idea  of  inheriting  what  was  not  our  own, 
by  the  will  of  another.  Heirs  together  of  the  grace 
of  life,  carries  the  mutual  obligation  that  the  grace  of 
the  gofpel  brings  us  under,  to  obedience  to  him  in 
our  mutual  duties  one  to  another. 

"  That  your  prayers    be  not  hindered."     The  di- 

re6lion,  ill  ot  Peter^  iv.  7,  "  Be  ye  therefore  fober, 

and  watch  unto  prayer," 'together  with  the  repeated 

exhortations  of  Jesus   Christ,  to  watch  and  pray, 

F  f  fticws 


226  to  HUSBANDS  and  WIVE5. 

fliews   the  duty   of  watchfulnefs  agarnft  every  tbin^ 
whereby  oar  prayers  may  be  hindered  ;  and  as  Je- 
sus Christ,  in  Mark  xi.  52,  fays,  "  When  ye  ftand 
praying,  forgive,  if  ye  have  ought  againft  any,"  we 
may  eafily   fee    that  the  contrary  fpirit  muft  hinder 
fnutual  prayer  ;  for  where  envy  and  ftrife  is,  there 
is  confufion  and  every  evil  work.     That  your  prayers 
be  not  hindered,  may  ha:ve  referrence  to  mutual  pray- 
er in  the  church,  which  ought  to  be  attended  in  the 
exercife  of  fervent  charity,  and  which  may  be  marred, 
weakened  or  broken,  by  an  indulged  carnage,  unbe- 
coming the  gofpel  of  Christ  ;  in  which  cafe  the  di- 
reclion  of  Jesus  Christ,  "  If  thou  bring  thy  gift  to 
the  altar,  and  tliere  remember  that  thy  brother  hath 
ought  againft  thee,  leave  there  thy  gift  before  the  al- 
Hr,  and  go  thy  way,  firft  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother, 
and   then   come  and  offer  thy  gift,"  ought  to  be  at- 
tended to. — It  may  alfo  have  referrence  to  their  mu- 
tual prayers   in   the  family,  as  their   circumftances, 
opportunity^  and  fenfe  of  divine  mercy,  may  call  them 
thereunto  :  For  we  have  dire£lion  to   pray  with  all 
prayer  and  fupplication  in  the  fpirit;  and   in  every 
thing,  by  prayer  and  fupplication  with  thankfgiving, 
to  be  making  our   requefts  known  to  God  ;  and  it 
muft  be  the  mutual  duties  of  huftjands  and  wives,  to 
guard  againft  that  condutl  which  would  hinder  the 
mutual  enjoyment  of  fuch  a  privilege. 

In  what  has  been  brought  to  view,  the  fcriptures, 
in  their  moft  obvious  meaning,  have  been  attended 
to,  as  knowing  they  come  with  the  authority  of  Js- 
sus  Christ,  who  is  Lord  of  all.  The  authority  of 
the  Apoftles  is  the  authority  of  Christ,  as  he  has 
connefted  them  with  himfelf ;  fo  that  he  that  defpi- 
fes  thefe  their  exhortations,  defpifeth  not  man,  but 
God.  And  fure  I  am,  that  ^n  attention  to  them,  is 
the  furcft  way  to  domeftic  happinefs.  I  have  often 
thought,  that  if  two  jTerfons  come  together  in  the  re- 
lation 


SONG  ON    MARRIAGE.  227 

lation  of  hufband  and  wife,  that  wifhed  to  live  hap- 
pily in  that  relation,  they  could  walk  by  no  better 
rules,  even  fuppofing  they  did  not  believe  the  fcrip- 
turcs  ;  but  in  that  cafe  they  would  have  but  the  body 
or  the  letter,  without  the  fpirit.  The  honor,  the 
nearnefs,  the  endeared  afFeftion,  and  the  obligations 
mutually  arifing  in  that  relation,  cannot  be  fully  feen 
but  as  they  center  in  Christ  Jesus,  in  his  union  with, 
love  to,  and  care  of,  his  church  ;  in  whom  the  man 
is  not  without  the  woman,  nor  the  woman  without 
the  man:  «  For,  OF  HIM,  and  TO  HIM,  and 
THROUGH  HIM,  are  all  things  :"  To  whom  be 
glory  for  ever. 

AMEN, 


To  this  I  vfould  fiihjoin  fome  thoughts  ly  another  hand^ 
collected  together  fome  years pajl* 

■     ON     MARRIAGE. 

L 

VV  HEN  fuch  as  we  attempt  to  fing, 
The  praifes  of  our  heavenly  King, 
His  mercies  rife  fo  fail  to  view, 
That  ftill  the  theme  is  always  new, 

II. 
In  early  days  his  Godlike  care 
Of  all  his  creatures,  did  appear; 
Each  of  his  kind  an  help-meet  found. 
To  pafs  the  days  fucceffive  round.    ' 

III. 
When  man  alone  no  partner  knew, 
This  want  was  in  his  Maker's  view  ; 
Whofe  love  and  pow'r  the  want  fuppli'd,     ^ 
From  fleeping  Adam's  tender  fide,  y 

Whofe  rib  he  form'd  a  lovely  bride,  J 

Thi3 


^28  SONG  ofi  MARRIAGE, 

IV. 

This  good  obtain'd,  how  blefs'd  had  been 
Man  s  happy  ftate,  unftain'd  by  fin  ? 
But  too,  too  foon  th'  unthinking  pair, 
By  Satan's  arts  beguiled  were. 

V. 
From  this  foil'd  fource  did  foon  arife, 
Lufts  of  the  flefh,  the  world  and  eyes  ; 
Whofe  all  predominating  power, 
The  happieft  days  of  man  devour  s 

VI. 
Difturb  the  joys  of  focial  life, 
And  di-fcord  fpread  t'wixt  man  and  wife  j 
But  praife  and  thanks  to  thee  fhall  rife, 
The  joyful  found  fliall  reach  the  fkies  ; 

VII. 
That  peace  and  good  on  earth  proclaim'd'. 
And  man,  th'  ungrateful  fubjeft,  nam'd, 
Whom  boundlefs  mercy  doth  arreft, 
And  thus  compelleth  to  be  blefs'd. 

VIII. 
Which  brings  to  yiew  eternal  joy. 
Which  can't  admit  of  an  alloy  : 
To  pur  chafe  which  the  Son  of  God 
Did  Ihed  his  own  moft  precious  blood. 

IX. 
This  glorious  news  proclaim'd  abroad. 
Makes  wandering  man  return  to  God  ; 
And  thus  the  mjnd  from  earth  is  rear'dj 
And  with  eternal  joy  is  chear'd. 

X. 
Thus  o'er  this  fhort,  contrafted  fpanj 
Which  is  affign'd  to  mortal  man. 
The  gofpel  cafts  a  fmile  of  peace. 
And  bids  our  anxious  cares  to  ceafe, 

XI. 
By  this  the  hufband  and  the  wife. 
Are  taught  to  pafs  the  days  of  life  ; 


Jh^ii 


SONG  ON  MARRIAGE.  229 

Their  duty  and  their  happinefs, 
Moll  clofely  here  connetted  is : 

XII. 
£ach  tender  paflion  doth  revive, 
And  mutual  duties  keep  aliyc. 
Th'  unbounded  love  which  Christ  hath  fliowoj 
Who  for  hi?  church  his  life  laid  down, 

XIII. 
Is  to  the  hufband  brought  to  view, 
A  pattern  of  affedion  true. 
The  church,  his  fpotlefs  bride,  likewife. 
Doth  as  the  wife's  example  rife. 

XIV. 
'Tis  thus-ihagofpel  doth  revive. 
And  keep  each  gen  rous  thought  alive  5 
jVrrefts  thofe  lulls  which  bitter  life, 
/Ind  teach  to  live  like  man  and  wife. 


APPEI^DIX. 


■maaBwmHBf 


saf 


APPENDIX, 


Containing  thoughts  oecafioncd  by  the  provifions  of 
the  table. 

Upon  looking  over  the  time  calculated  for  familyenjoyment,  happ.inefs, 
&c.  mentioned  in  the  321ft  page;  fome  thoughts  occurred  on  the- 
provifion  of  the  table,  which  fwelled  beyond  the  comgaCs  of  a  mar- 
ginal note,  and  are  brought  in  by  way  01  appendix,  a^  follows.       .  , 

VV  HEN  the  head  of  a  family  retiring  from 
his  bufinefs  to  his  meals,  has  the  happinefs  to  make 
them  all  fet  down  around  him,  and  the  example  of 
Jesus  Christ  and  the  apoftle,  to  dire6l,  excite,  em- 
bolden, and  encourage  him  to  give  thanks  before 
them  all,  if  his  mind  is  led  to  underftand  the  glory  of 
the  gofpel,  what  can  hinder  his  breaking  forth  into 
praife,  for  all  fpiritual  bleffings  in  heavenly  tilings, 
in  Christ  Jesus,  as  they  are  brought  to  his  view  in 
the  bounties  of  providence  on  his  table  ;  yea,  though 
it  be  at  a  time  of  poverty,  and  there  be  only  bread 
and  water,  to  preferve  life,  till  fome  further  provifions 
can  be  procured,  yet  even  that  would  point  us  to  the 
bread  and  water  of  life,  for  even  they  were  made  by 
him,  and  for  him,  and  do  filently,  eminendy  and  con^ 
ftandy  hold  forth  his  glory  ;  if  with  them  I  have  a 
piece  of  a  broiled  fifh,  fhall  I  be  difcontent  becaufe  I 
have  no  more,  and  feem  as  if  the  meal  was  not  large 
enough  to  call  me  to  thankfgiving  ;  or  ftiall  I  not 
rather  remember  it  is  the  fame  with  which  Jesus  fed 
the  multitudes,  after  he  had  given  thanks ;  the  fame 
that  was  laid  on  the  coals,  John  xxi.  9,  to  which  he 
called  his  difciples  to  «  come  and  dine,"  verfe  12; 
or  would  my  difcontented  mind  find  fault  with  my 

bread, 


APPENDIX.  2'3f 

bread,  becaufe  I  cannot  obtain  every  day  the  flneft  of 
the  wheat,  let  it  rather  remind  rhe,  that  it  was  barley 
bread  with  which  Jesus  fed  the  multitude,  John  vi. 
o.  If  the  adverfary,  wbofe  name  is  legion,  for  they 
are  niahy,  attempt  like  the  Midianites  that  typified 
them,  Judges  vi,  to  deftroy  the  increafe  of  the  earth, 
by  introducing  murmuring,  difcontcntanduneafinefs, 
inftead  of  thankJgiving  at  my  table,  may  this  barley 
bread  with  which  the  multitudes  were  fed,  remind  me 
of  what  the  barley  cake  did,'  in  the  hoft  of  the  Mid- 
ianites, and  be  as  efficacious  to  take  away  my  mur- 
muring ;  for  will  it  not  pierce  my  heart  with  grief  and 
fhame  that  I  fliould  murmur  at  that  for  which  my 
Lord  gives  thanks  !  Can  I  have  the  leaft  appearance 
of  a  fervant  or  difciple,  to  be  thus  above  my  mafler 
and  Lord,  while  a  "  perfeft  difciple  fhall  be  as  his 
mafter."  Luke  vi.  40.  Herein  is  the  love  perfeft  in 
us,  that  we  fhould  have  boldnefs  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment, for  as  he  is,  fo  are  we  in  this  W'orld."  ift;  o^  John 
iv.  17,  Methinks  here  isalfo  a  further  feffon  for  m.e; 
when  a  lad  had  only  five  barley  loaves,  and  two  fmall 
fiflies,  they  were  all  at  tjie  fervice  of  Jesus  Christ^' 
of  whom  and  for  whom  hehad  them.  If  I  am  favour- 
ed with  meat,  it  is  calculated  to  lead  me  to  the  meat 
that  endureth  to  eternal  life,  which  the  Son  of  man 
Ihall  give,  who  fays,  "  my  flefh  is  meat  indeed."  If 
I  have  a  dinner  of  herbs,  and  the  fenfe  of  dvine  love 
exciting  me  and  my  family  to  love  one  another,  it  is 
better  than  a  flailed  ox,  and  hatred  to  my  God,  and 
family  therewith  :  Shocking  the  tliQught  !  that  my 
ungreatful  heart  is  capable  of  this  !  If  I  cafl  my  eye 
on  the  fait,  while  I  reach  after  it,  it  would  filently  re- 
mind mc  of  the  favour  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ, 
made  manifefl  by  his  apoflles  in  every  place,  "  which 
is  the  fait  of  the  covenant  of  God,  that  never  fliould 
be  lacking,"  typified  by  that  which  was  to  accompany 
all  the  offerings  of  the  children  of  Ifrael,  and  which  . 

wa«i 


232  APPENDIX. 

was  given  them  in  Ezra's  time,  by  Darius,  cliap^  vi.  6^ 
and  by  Anaxerxes,  chap.  vii.  22,  at  the  command- 
ment of  the  pricft,  without  prefcribing,  pointing  for- 
ward to  the  favour  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ, 
which  my  fait  would  remind  me  of :  This  turns  my 
mind  to  an  inOru6lion  we  have  in  Ezra  iv.  14,  "  Now 
becaufe  we  arc  faked  with  the  fait  of  the  palace,  it 
was  not  meet  for  us  to  fee  the  kings  difboriour  :"  This 
is  the  inftruftion  my  fait,  which  was  created  by  him, 
is  of  him,  and  for  him,  would  communicate  to  me.  Is 
my  table  furnifhed,  and  am  I  favoured  with  roots, 
and  will  they  not  turn  my  mind  to  the  "  root  of  Jefle," 
Jfaia/i  xi.  16,  "  the  root  out  of  a  dry  ground."  chap, 
liii.  2,  "  the  root  of  the  righteous  that  yieldeth  or  gi- 
veth,"  Proverbs  xii.  12.  Foi:  my  roots  were  by  him, 
ihey  ^re  from  him  and  for  him,  to  hold  forth  his  glo- 
xy.  Do  I  find  my  table  enriched  with  fruits,  the  fruit 
of  the  vine  ;  have  I  a  cup  of  wine  there,  furely  it  fo 
fully  points  to  Jesus  Christ,  that  as  oft  as  I  drink  it 
1  ought  to  remember  him,  whether  it  be  at  the  Lord's 
fuppef,  or  at  my  own  table.  Do  I  fee  the  beans, 
peas  and  fquafhes  on  my  table,  either  of  thefe  are 
the  fruit  of  the:  biifh,  and  would  lead  my  mind  to  the 
angel  of  the  Lord,  or  the  agent  Jehovah,  that  appear- 
ed to  Mofes  in  the  bufh,  which  burned  with  fire  and 
^if3.s  notconfumed,  which  caufed  Mofes  to  turn  afide, 
10  behold  with  attention,  when  he  was  told  to  put  off 
his  (hoes  from  off  his  feet,  in  token  of  reverence  and 
refignation  to  his  L6rd,  which  he  did,  and  was  then 
inftrufted  in  the  meaning,  which  led  Mofe^  to  under- 
fland,  that  though  the  poUerity  of  Abrahram,  Ifaac 
and  Jacob,  Were  in  bondage  in  Egypt,  fighing  and 
groaning,  and  was  expelled  a  (Granger  in  Midian,  a 
flrangc  land,  yet  God  faW  their  trouble  and  heard 
their  cry,  and  faid  unto  him,  "  I  am  the  God  of  thy 
fathef,  the  God  of  Abraham,  of  Ifaac  aiid  of  Jacob, 
this  is  my  name  forever,  and  my   memorial   unto  all 

ages  i" 


APPENDIX.  233 

ages ;"  I  that  delivered  Abraham,  Ifaac  and  Jacob 
in  all  their  diftrefles,  particularly  that  faved  Jacob, 
and  his  family  when  in  danger  of  being  burnt  up 
with  famine,  by  bringing  them  into  Egypt,  and  giv- 
ing them  there  the  blefTmg  of  Jofeph,  with  which  he 
bleffed  his  land  in  the  feven  plenteous  years,  even  the 
fweetnefs  of  heaven,  the  dew,  and  the  deep,  and  the 
fweet  increafe  of  the  fun  and  the  moon,  the  precious 
things  of  the  mountains  and  hills,  and  the  precious 
things  of  the  earth,  and  .the  abundance  thereof; 
whereby  the  good  will  of  him  that  dwelt  in  the  bufh, 
rcfted  on  Jofeph,  and  upon  the  top  of  the  head  of 
him  that  was  feparated  from  his  brethren,  as  a  type  of 
him  in  whom  all  fulnefs  dwells. 

"  I  AM  that  I  AM,  I  am  the  God  of  Abraham, 
of  Ifaac,  and  of  Jacob ;  this  is  my  name  forever,  and 
my  memorial  throughout  all  generations ;  I  know  the 
forrows  of  their  pofterity,  therefore  I  am  come  down 
to  deliver  them." — And  is  there  not  in  this  name  and 
memorial  joy  to  the  whole  earth  ?  Is  he  the  Qod  of 
the  Jews  only,  and  not  of  the  Gentiles  alfo  ?  Yes, 
"  even  of  the  Gentiles  alfo  ;  the  God  of  the  whole 
earth  fhall  he  be  called."  The  promife  to  Abraham 
is,  "  In  thy  feed  fhall  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be 
bleffed."  So  that  there  is  not  held  forth  to  Moles  in 
the  burning  bufh,  the  diftreffed  ftate  of  the  children 
of  Ifrael  and  their  deliverance  only,  but  of  the  whole 
human  race,  who  by  the  curfe  of  the  fiery  law,  ap- 
peared in  danger  of  being  burnt  up  without  remedy; 
but  Jesus  "  was  made  under  the  law,  to  redeem 
them  that  were  under  the  law  ;"  he  fuflained  the  fire, 
and  freed  us  from  being  confumed.  His  fuftaining 
of,  and  deliverance  from  it  was  the  beginning  of  re- 
venges on  the  enemy  ;  on  which  the  call  is,  "  Rejoice 
O  ye  nations,  his  people."  In  view  of  which,  in  the 
xlviith  Pfalm,  «  All  people"  are  called  to  "  clap 
their  hands,  and  fhout  with  the  voice  of  triumph  ;  for 
G  g  •  the 


2S4  A  P  P  E  N  D  I  X.; 

the  Lox^D,  moft  High,  terrible, a  Great  King  over  all 
the  earth,  he  hath  fubdued  the  people  under  us,  and 
the  nations  under  our  feet."  The  nation  and  people 
of  the  Jews,  apprehended  themfelves  above  the  Gen- 
tiles, and  defpif^d  them  ;  but  fince  "  God  is  gone 
up  with  a  fliout,  the  Lord  with  the  found  of  the 
trumpet,"  It  is  evident  he  hath  chofen  our  inheritance 
for  us,  "  the  excellency  of  Jacob,  whom  he   loved." 

Our  inheritance  :  All  people,  the  Gentiles,  who  are 
fellow  heirs,  and  of  the  fame  body,  and  partakers  of 
his  promifes  in  Christ  by  the  gofpel,  and  all  people 
•are  called  on,  Sing  praifes  to  God  ;  fing  praifes  ; 
ling  praifes  unto  our  King,  fing  praifes  ;  for  God  is 
King  of  all  the  earth  ;  fing  ye  praifes  that  have  un- 
derftandmg  :  God  reigneth  over  the  heathen  ;  God 
fitteth  upon  his  holy  throne." — Agreeable  to  Pfalm 
ii.  where  it  is  faid,  "  Yet  have  I  fet  my  King  upon 
my  holy  hill  of  Zion  :  Thou  art  my  Son,  this  day 
have  I  begotten  thee,"  (referring  to  the  refurreftion) 
"  afk  of  me,  and  I  will  give  the  heathen  thine  inheri- 
tance, and  the  utmoft  parts  of  the  earth  thy  poffeffion." 
Upon  his  refurrection,  it  is  manifefl  they  are  his  pur- 
cliafed  poffeffion.  This  King  now  manifeftly  appears 
to  reign  in  righteoufnefs  :  "  I  have  fet  my  King  up- 
on ray  holy  hill  of  Zion."  So  in  the  above  xlviith 
Pfahi,  on  his  afcenfion,  he  is  "  King  of  all  the  earth," 
he  "  reigneth  over  the  heathen,"  he  "  fitteth  on  his 
holy  throne,"  he  is  come  whofe  right  it  is  ;  thus  "  the 
princes  of  the  people  are  gathered  together,  the  peo- 
ple of  the  God  of  Abraham  ;"  he  not  only  fliielded 
Abraham's  family  in  their  affliftion,  but  "  the  fliields 
of  the  earth  belong  unto  the  Lord  ;  he  is  greatly  ex- 
alted." 

Is  there  not  a  leflbn  for  me,  under  my  diftrefling 
trials,  of  what  fort  foever,  to  realize  the  reverence  and 
fubjeftion  that  is  due  to  my  Lord,  as  in  the  cafe  of 
Mofes,  Exodus  iii.  5,  and  Jojliua  v.  i5,refigningmy- 

felf 


APPENDIX.  2^5 

felFup  to  him  as  not  my  own,  but  redeemed  by  bim? 
Now  this  was  the  manner  in  Ifrael,  concerning  re- 
deeming and  changing — to  e(tablifh  all  tilings,  a 
man  plucked  offhis  (hoe,  and  gave  it  to  his  neighbour, 
and  this  was  a  fure  witnefs  in  liraei,  that  he  had  re- 
{igned  his  right,  and  it  was  the  property  of  him  that 
redeemed  it  ;  which  I  am  of  my  Lord  Redeemer, 
and  ought  to  realize  it  with  reverend  fubmiffion,  under 
every  affliftion,  knowing  that  in  hisevcrlafting  name, 
his  memorial  through  all  generations,  there  is  a  foun- 
tain of  all-fufficient  confolation. 

Am  I  prefented  with  the  fruit  of  the  apple-tree,  to 
bring  to  my  mind  the  tree  of  life,  which  bear  twelve 
fruits,  and  yielded  her  fruit  every  month  ;  which  fruit 
was  for  meat,  and  the  leaf  for  medicine  ;"  the  leaves 
of  the  tree  for  the  healing  of  the  nations  ?"  If  my  ap- 
ple fliould  remind  me  of  the  fruit  of  the  forbidden 
tree,  by  which  ftn  and  death  entered,  it  will  alfo  lead 
me  to  Christ,  by  and  for  whom  the  apple-tree  was 
created  ;  for  as  the  apple-tree  among  the  trees  of  the 
wood,  fo  is  my  beloved  among  the  fons."  I  have  all 
in  this  tree  ;  for  the  fruit  is  for  food  and  the  leaf  for 
medicine.  What  may  I  underdand  by  the  leaves  of 
the  tree  ?  Inanatu  ral  fenfe,  it  fhows  that  which  evi- 
dences of  what  fort  the  tree  is :  Thus  the  fig  tree 
was  known  it  had  leaves  ;  and  as  the  leaves  of  a  fig- 
tree,  were  fewed  together  for  aprons,  after  the  fall,  to 
hide  -nakednefs  and  fhame,  as  has  been  the  manner 
ever  fince,  "  to  cover  with  a  covering,  but  not  of 
God's  fpirit,"  to  go  about  to  eftablifh  our  own  righ- 
teoufnefs,  which  covering  is  too  narrow,  a  man  can- 
not wrap  himfelf  in  it;  fo  when  Jesus  came,  the 
Lord  our  righteoufnefs,  he  faith  to  the  fig-tree,  the 
emblem  of  feeking  life  by  our  own  righteoufnefs, 
"  never  man  eat  fruit  of  thee  henceforth  for  ever, 
and  immediately  the  fig-tree  withered  away  ;"  but 
his  leaf  fhall  not  wither — his  profeffion. 

The 


«36  APPENDIX. 

The  truth  he  heard  of  God  at  this  baptifm,  «  this 
is  my  beloved  Son,  in  w.hom  I  am  well  pleafed,"  the 
truth  he  taught  through  his  life  and  miniftry,  that  he 
witnefled  a  good  confeffion  to,  before  Pontius  Pilate, 
that  was  witneffed  in  his  refurre6lion,  whereby  he  is 
"  declared  the  Son  of  God,  with  power  according  to 
the  fpirit  of  holinefs,"  this  truth,  which  Peter  made 
confeffion  of,  on  which  he  will  build  his  church,  is,  I 
apprehend,  what  we  are  led  lo  for  the  meaning  of 
the  "  leaves  of  the  tree,  that  are  for  the  healing  of  the 
nations,"  whofe  virtues  fliall  prevail,  'till  "  there  be 
no  more  curfe." 


PART 


PART         II. 

THOUGHTS  ON  EDUCATION, 

ADDRESSED  TO  PARENTS, 


Ye  honored,  refpeftful  fires, 

A  motive  now  appears. 
Of  cautious  circumlpe^tion  to'ards 

Your  children  young  in  years. 

Provoke  them  not  to  wrath,  left  they  "* 

Difcourag'd  fliould  appear  ; 
But  by  the  nurture  of  the  Lord, 

Their  tender  fpirits  cheer. 

He  in  his  word  doth  nurture  give. 

And  admonition  too  ; 
Let  it  imparted  be  to  them, 

With  faithfulnefs  by  you. 

And  may  you  ever  fit  with  joy, 
*  At  our  Emanuel's  feet, 

To  learn  withwifdom  and  with  love. 
The  little  ones  to  treat- 

JT  ARENT  and  child  comprehends  more  en- 
dearing, engaging,  and  refpeftful  ideas,  than  I  can 
conceive,  much  lefs  exprefs  the  fulnefsof :  But  when 
I  think  of  them,  they  appear  as  harmonious  notes  in 
agreeable  mufick,  which  may  delight  the  ear  of  him 
•who  cannot  give  them  their  proper  found.  Notwith- 
ftanding,  I  fhall  attempt  fomething  that  may  be  ufe- 
ful  in  conducting  in  that  endeared  relation. 

It  is  the  place  and  duty  of  a  child  to  be  in  his  par- 
ents prefence  with  reverence  and  delight ;  and  it  is 
the  duty  of  the  parent  to  guard  againfl  a  childlefs  fa- 
miliarity, that  would  tend  to  make  the  child  humour- 
fome,  and  bring  the  parent  into  contempt ;  and  a- 
gainft  fuch  an  aufterity  as  would  make  their  prefence 
a  dread  which  the  child  would  feek  to  avoid.  It  is 
their  duty  alfo  to  guard  againft  ill  names,  and  fuch 
phrafcs   and  expreffions  as  would  intimate  to   the 

minds 


238         THOUGHTS  ON  EDUCATION. 

minds  of  the  children,  that  their  parents  have  not  the 
fear  of  God  before  their  eyes.  If  inftead  of  the  pa^ 
ternal,  endearing  expreffions  of — my  dear  child,  my 
fon,  my  daughter — it  is — you  little  cur,  you  dog,  you 
plague — or  the  like  ;  it  is,  what  fhall  I  call  it !  a  vio- 
lent rape  on  the  morals  of  the  child.  Such  children 
are  early  capable  of  reafoning  after  this  manner — if 
I  am  fuch  a  creature,  what  is  my  father  that  begat,, 
me,  or  my  mother  that  brought  me  forth  ?  And  they 
foon  get  emboldened  to  ufe  the  fame  expreffions,  at 
leaft  to  thofe  that  offend  them  ;  which  is  produftive, 
*Df  wrath  and  flrife,  and  promotes  an  undefirable 
hardnefs  and  harfhnefs  of  temper  and  manners. 

Parents  mud  likewife  guard  againft  a  cuftomary 
threatening  which  alienates  the  mind,  and  fowers  the 
temper  of  the  children,  and  produces  contempt  of 
the  parents,  when  they  fee  their  threatenings  are  only 
verbal,  never  to  be  feared  except  when  they  get  into 
a  paflion.  Threatenings  ought  to  be  given  out  with 
great  caution  and  care  ;  to  be  what  will  be  the  par- 
ents indifpenfible  duty  in  the  threatened  cafe  ;  They 
ought  to  be  confined  to  moral  evils;  fuch  as  appa- 
rent wilful  difobedience,  lying,  cheating,  or  profane- 
nefs  ;  any  thing  that  is  an  apparent  fin  againft  God 
Or  our  neighbour  :  And  when  judicioufly  given  out, 
they  ought  to  be  punftually  executed,  not  in  paflion 
and  anger,  but  in  love  and  faithfulnefs.  And  when 
any  accidental  mifcarriage  takes  place,  fuch  as  the 
breaking  an  earthen  veffel,  or  a  fquare  of  glafs,  it 
fhould  meet  with  a  gentle  admonition,  never  carried 
fo  high  as  to  tempt  the  children  to  lie  to  hide  it,  for 
fear  of  the  wrath  of  their  parents. 

Here  I  would  take  notice  of  the  apoflolick  direc- 
tion, Ephejians  vi.  4,  "  And  ye  fathers  provoke  not 
your  children  to  wrath,  leaft  they  be  difcouraged,  but 
bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord." 

<«  Left 


THOUGHTS  OM  EDUCATION.        239 

«'  Left  they  be  difcouraged."  Doth  it  not  include 
in  it  every  thing  in  the  education  of  children,  that 
would  give  them  a  dreadful  difcouraging  idea  of 
God,  or  of  their  natural  parents,  fo  as  to  caufe  them 
fecretly  to  wifh  they  could  hide  thcmfelves  from  him 
or  them,  or  to  make  them  unhappy,  at  the  thought  of 
being  always  in  the  divine  prefence  (a  fource  of  fe- 
curity  and  happinefs  where  his  name  is  known)  or 
at  the  thought  of  coming  into  the  prefence  of  their 
parents. 

The  fcripture  account  that  God  is  love,  and  the 
way  in  which  it  is  made  manifeft,  is  calculated  to 
fliew  our  higheft  happinefs  in  his  prefence  and  favour; 
and  what  is  to  be  moft  feared,  is  that  which  will  dif- 
pleafe  him,  and  procure  his  frown.  In  like  manner, 
if  parents  conduct  by  the  divine  rule,  their  children 
will  be  happieft  in  their  prefence  and  favour,  and  it 
muft  be  a  great  punifhmeiit  to  be  turned  away  from 
them,  as  a  token  of  difpleafure,  but  for  an  hour.  But 
when,  on  the  contrary,  they  cannot  come  where  they 
are,  without  fome  hard  names  or  dreadful  threatenings, 
they  are  provoked  and  difcouraged. 

"  But  bring  them  up  in  tlie  nurture  and  admoni- 
tion of  the  Lord."  Nurture  conveys  the  idea  of 
nurfing  or'nourifliment,  agreeable  to  ift  oi TheJJ'alo- 
nians,  ii.  7,  "  We  were  gentle  among  you,  asanurfe 
cherifheth  her  children  ;"  ift  of  Peter,  ii.  2,  "  As 
new  born  babes  defire  the  fincere  milk  of  the  word, 
that  ye  may  grow  thereby;"  ift  of  Timothy,  iv.  6, 
"  Nouriflicd  up  in  the  words  of  faith  and  good  doc- 
trine." Admonition  conveys  the  idea,  to  counfel, 
advife,  inftru6l,  warn  and  reprove. 

The  admonition  of  the  Lord,  leads  my  mind  to 
ift  o^  Corinthians,  x.  11,  Where  the  Apoftle,  fpeak- 
ing  of  the  things  written  in  the  Old  Tellament,  fays, 
"  they  are  written  for  our  admonition."  The  fcrip- 
tures  of  the  new  began  to  be  fpoken    by   the  Lord, 

and 


240      THOUGHTS  on  EDUCATIOIsr. 

and  was  confirmed  to  us  by  tbem  diat  heard  him. 
They  are  die  admonition  of  die  Lord  ;  not  only  the 
fayings  of  Christ  himfelf,  but  of  his  Apoftles,  that 
he  connctts  with  himfelf,  "  He  that  heareth  you, 
heareth  me  ;"  are  the  admonition  of  the  Lord,  as  is 
cxpreffed  ift  of  Thejfalonians^  ii.  ii,  "  As  ye  know 
how  we  exhorted,  and  comforted,  and  charged,  every 
one  of  you,  as  a  father  his  children,  that  ye  would 
walk  worthy  of  God,  who  hath  called  you  to  his 
kingdom  and  glory." 

lit.  For  nurture.  Let  the  children  have  the  fin- 
cere  milk  of  the  word,  that  they  may  grow  thereby  ; 
let  them  fuck  and  be  fatisfied  with  thefe  breads  of 
confolation.  Only  let  us  look  into  the  various  paf- 
fages,  in  which  Jesus  Christ  fpake  of,  to,  or  about 
little  children  :  See  Matthew  xviii.  i,  to'  14,  chap. 
xix,  14,  15.  Matthew  xxi.  16.  Mark  xi.  13,  to  16. 
Luke  xviii.  14 — 16.  And  fee  if  there  is  any  thing  be- 
fides  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  to  them  :  If  it  be  fo, 
let  the  dear  children  know  it  as  foon  as  they  are  ca- 
pable of  underftanding  ;  let  them  be  "  nouriflied  up 
in  the  works  of  faith,"  in  thofe  truths  that  are  to  be 
believed,  "  and  good  do6lrine  j"  the  good  news,  the 
glad  tidings  that  the  Gospel  contains.  Or  is  there 
any  threatenings  of  eternal  damnation  to  children,  by 
the  Apollles  of  Christ  ?  If  not,  who  dare  ring  them 
in  their  ears  ! 

There  is  indeed,  temporal  deftru6lion,  with  the 
greateil  infamy,  threatened  difobedient  children, 
Proverbs  xxx.  1 7,  which  is  a  part  of  the  fecond 
branch  :  The  admonition  of  the  Lord  fo  is,  Luke  xv. 
15,  where  the  prodigal,  from  a  father's  houfe,  where 
is  bread  enough,  and  to  fpare,is  brought  to  be  a  poor 
hungry  fwine-feeder. 

So  is  every  caution  and  warning  through  the  fcrip- 
tures,  cfpecially  the  New  Teftament,  which  the  par- 
ents ought  10  be  acquainted  with,  and  bring  to  the 

children's 


THOUGHTS  ON  EDUCATION.       241 

thildrcn's  view,  for'warning,  reproving,  coiinfelling, 
advifing,  andinftru6tingon  all  occalions,  particularly 
upon  any  thing  that  is  finful :  The  divine  admonitioa 
ought  to  be  brought  immediately  from  the  lively 
oracles,  and  they  convinced  it  is  difagreeable  to  the 
will  of  their  Creator,  Preferver,  and  redeemer,  on 
whom  their  all  depends. 

For  an  example  of  admonition,  we  have  one  drawn 
to  our  hands  by  the  Apoftle,  ift  of  Corinthians,  1  to 
11,  which  being  well  confidered,  may  help  parents 
to  make  ufe  of  other  fcriptures  in  a  fimilar  way,  as 
there  may  be  occafion. 

Thus  have  I  given  fome  thoughts  on  the  educa- 
tion of  children,  to  whom  I  wifli  the  blefifednefs  of  an 
early  acquaintance  with  what  God  has  done  for  them, 
and  their  obligations  of  gratitude  to  him.  'Tis  the 
duty  of  parents,  from  childhood,  to  acquaint  them 
with  the  holy  fcriptures,  wherein  thefe  things  are 
contained  (as  Timothy  was)  "  which  are  able  to  make 
wife  unto  falvation,  through  faith  in  Christ  Jesus:" 
nris  with  him  to  communicate  the  knowledge  of  him- 
felf,  according  to  his  good  pleafure  :  To  whom  be 
glory   and  dominion,  for  ever. 

AMEN. 


PART 


H  h 


iwiiniiil  iii'iiiiidYiiiiiiii  ii'i'*iiT 


PART     III. 

Ail  Inquiry  into  the  Case  o/"  Children,  with  an 
Exhortation- TO  THEM. 


MAtth  Ew  xviii.  4. — Evenfo  It  Is  not  the  'will  of  my  Father  nuh'uh 
iS  in  Ht'wvtn,  that  arte  of  thefe  little  ones  fbouldperijh. 

.  Third  epjftle  of  John,  4; — I  have  no  greater  joy  than  to  hear  thatmy 

children  nvalk  in  the  truth. 

• 

VV  HEN  I  meditate  on  i^he  cafe  of  children, 
andpropofe  4^'exhQ|tation  to  them,  inftead  of  being 
governed  by  the  various  opinions  there  are  about 
them,  I  would  turn  to  the  fcriptures,  and  form  my 
apprehenfions  from  them,  that  I  may  know  what 
ground  there  is  for  a  word  of  exhortation  to  them.  In 
Matthew  xwm.  5,  and  Mark  ix.  37,  Jesus  Christ 
fays,  "  Whofoever  fhall  receive  one  fuch  litde  child 
in  my  name,  receiveth  mc."  One  fuch  ; — it  was  a 
child  he  took  in  his  arms,  in  M^r^^  ;  a  little  child  in 
Matthew-.  And  in  Zzi^^  xviii.  15,  they  brought  in- 
fants, and  Jesus  faid,  "Suffer  the  little  children  to 
come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  fuch  is  the 
kingdom,  of  Heaven."  How  comes  infants  confti- 
tuted  of  the  kingdom  of  Heaven?  Matthew  xvm.  iif 
fliews  Jesus  Christ  came  to  fave  them  ;  therefore, 
"  take  heed  that  ye  defpife  not  one  of  thefe  litde  ones; 
for  I  fay  unto  you,  that  in  Heaven,  their  angels  do 
always  behold  the  face  of  my  father,  which  is  ir» 
Heaven ;  for  the  fon  of  man  is  come  to  fave  that  which 
is  loft,"  Their  angels ;  What  is  the  office  of  the  holy 
angels  ?  "  Are  they  not  all  miniftring  fpirits,  fent 
forth  to  minifter  for  them  that  fliall  be  heirs  of  falva- 
tion  ?"  If  their  angels  always  behold  the  face  of  the 
God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  i«. 

in 


An    inquiry  into  See.  243 

in  Heaven,  doth  it  not  convey  the  idea,^that  nothing 
can  be  done  againft  them,  in  a  way  of  dcfpifingthcm, 
but  whatmuft  be  immediately  known  there  ?  And  if 
angels  minifler  to  infants,  are  they  not  heirs  of  falva- 
tion  ?  How  came  they  heirs ;  are  they  not  by  nature 
children  of  wrath  ;  are  they  not  loft  in  Adam,  their 
head;  how  came  they  heirs  of  falvation  ?  Verfe  11 
informs  us,  "  For  the  fon  of  man  can>e  to  fave  that 
which  was  loft."  Though  they  are  really  loft  in  un- 
ion with  the  firft  Adam,  and  however  they  may  ap- 
pear loft  in  their  own  utter  helpleffnefs,  and  the  vari- 
ous diftreffes  and  miferies,  even  death  itfelf,  rfiatthey 
are  expofed  to  ;  yet  if  the  fon  of  man  is  come  to  fave 
that  which  is  loft  ;  has  taken  hold  of  them,  taken 
their  nature  into  union  with  himfelf,  E^d^jjerTftituted 
them  of  the  kingdom  of  G6D,^vir'tUe  of  his  owa 
righteoufnefs,  who  fays,  Luke  xviii.  16,  "  for  of 
fuch  is  the  kingdom  of  God,"  then  "  take  heed  that 
ye  defpife  not  onp  of  thefe  little  ones."  Are  they  not 
defpifcd  by  thofe  that  freely  and  frequendy  fpeak  of 
the  everlafting  damnation  of  infants  ?  Do  they  get  it 
from  any  word  of  Jesus  Christ  concerning  them? 
Why  is  it  fo  ?  That  they  are  loft  is  readily  acknow- 
ledged ;  but  the  fon  of  man  came  to  fave  that  which 
was  loft  :  Will  he  not  accomplifli  his  defign  ;  is  he 
not  mighty  to  fave  ?  He  is  the  fiiepherd  that  looks 
after  that  ^^hich  is  loft,"  that  "  takes  thejambs  into 
his  arms,  and  carries  them  in  his  bofom  :"  "  How 
think  ye,  if  a  man  have  an  hundred  fheep,  if  one  of 
tliem  be  gone  aftray,  doth  he  not  leave  the  ninety- 
nine,  and  goeth  into  the  mountains  and  fecketh  that 
which  is  gone  aftray  ;  and  if  fo  be  that  he  find  it,  ve-' 
rily  I  fay  unto  you,  that  he  rejoiceth  more  of  that 
than  of  the  ninety-nine  that  went  not  aftray  :  EVEN 
foitis  not  the  will  of  your  Father  who  is  in  Heaven, 
that  one  of  thofe  little  ones  ftiould  perifh."  If  Jlsus 
Cj^rift  came  to  iave  thcm^  and  it  is  not  the  will   of 

your 


S44  An  inquiry  into 

your  Father  in  Heaveti  that  one  of  them  fhould  per-, 
ifh,  muft  not  the  defpifers  of  them,  that  fo  freely  treat; 
of  their  damnation,  fufpe6l  themfelves  as  advocates 
for  the  deflroyer  ?  Do  they  not  prevail  to  draw  a 
veil  over  the  power  and  compaflion  of  the  Saviour, 
and  deftroy  the  peace  of  thoufands  ? 

It  may  not  be  amift  to  illuflrate  this,  by  bringing 
in  the  teftimony  of  the  prophets  and  apoftles.  Wheri 
God,  by  his  prophet  Jtrtmiah^  was  comforting  an- 
cient Ifrael  in  what  he  would  do  for  them,  chap.xxxi. 
1,  to  14,  the  ground  and  reafon  of  which,  we  have 
in  the  11th  verfe,  "  For  the  Lord  hath  redeemed 
Jacob,  and  ranfomed  him  from  the  hand  of  ftronger 
than  he."  Having  redeemed  and  ranfomed  him — 
*'  He  that  fcattered  Ifrael,  will  gather  him,  and  keep 
him  as  a  fhepherd  his  flock :  Therefore  they  fliall 
come  and  fingin  the  height  of  Zion  ;  and  they  fhall 
not  forrow  any  more  at  all ;  then  fliall  the  virgin  re- 
joice in  the  dance,  both  young  men  and  old  men  to-, 
gether ;  for  I  will  turn  their  mourning  into  joy,  and 
make  them  rejoice  from  their  forrow,  and  I  will  fati- 
ate  the  foul  of  the  prieft  with  fatnefs,  and  rny  people 
Ihall  be  fatisfied  with  my  goodnefs,,  faith  the  Lord." 
That  this  good  news  may  reach  the  bottom  of  their 
affliftionand  forrow,  exprefled  in  verfe  15,  in  a  pro- 
phetic viewjof  thedeftru6lionof  the  children  of  Beth- 
lehem, by  Herod,  it  is  faid,  verfe  16,  "  refrain  thy 
voice  from  weeping,  and  thine  eyes  from  tears,  for 
thy  work  fhall  be  rewarded,  faith  the  Lord ;  and  they 
ihall  come  again  from  the  land  of  the  enemy,  and 
there  is  hope  in  thine  end?  faith  the  Lord,  that  thy 
children  ihall  come  again  to  their  own  border."— 
Death  was  the  enemy  where  they  went ;  from  which 
they  fliall  come  again,  and  inherit  their  own  border, 
in  him,  or  by  virtue  of  union  with  him, "  who  through 
death,  deftroys  him  that  had  the  power  of  death  ; 
that  is  the  devil."  "  Thus  faith  the    Lord,  even  the 

captives 


The  case  of  CHILDREN,  Sec.        345 

captives  of  the  mighty  fhall  be  taken  away,  and  the' 
prey  of  the  terrible  fliall  be  delivered  ;  for  I  will  con- 
tend with  him  that  contendcth  with  thee,  and  I  v;ill 
fave  thy  children,  Jfaiah  xlix.  ^5,"  "  They  fliall  come 
again  from  the  land  of  the  enemy." 

"  And  there  is  hope  in  thine  end  th;it  thy  children 
Ihall  come  again  to  their  own  border.'  What  is  their 
own  border  ?  'Tis  the  fruit  of  the  purchafeof  Jesus 
Christ,  called  their  own  in  virtue  of  their  union  to 
him.  To  this  I  would  add  theapoftle  Peter,  in  ABs  ii. 
39,  "  For  the  promifeis  to  you  and  to  your  children, 
and  to  all  that  arc  afar,  of  even  as  many  as  the  Lord 
our  God  fliall  call."  The  promife  to  you  and  your 
children,  as  extenfive  as  the  call  of  the  gofpel,  which 
is  directed  to  every  creature,  and  expreffed  in  this 
language  by  the  prophet,  "  Look  unto  me,  and  be  yc 
faved,  all  the  ends  of  the  earth." 

It  may  not  be  unfuitable  to  take  notice  here  of 
the  error  of  many  pareats,  and  others,  who  comfort 
themfelves  concerning  their  infant  children,  when 
they  die,  from  their  innocency,  faying,  they  arc  un- 
doubtedly gone  to  happinefs  ;  and  rob  the  Saviour 
of  his  glory,  and  themfelves  of  any  true  comfort.  If 
they  would  think  a  few  minutes,  if  the  falvation  by 
Jesus  Christ  is  excluded,  and  they  gone  to  happi- 
nefs by  virtue  of  their  own  imiocency,  it  is  a  happi- 
nefs that  they  themfelves  can  never  be  admitted  to  ; 
**  for  there  is  no  other  name  under  Heaven  among 
men,  whereby  they  can  be  faved,  but  the  name  of 
Jksus."  They  feem  not  to  attend  to  the  apoftle  ; 
he  hath  concluded  all  under  fin,  that  he  might  have 
mercy  upon  all." 

The  apoftle  John,  when  writing  to  the  difciples, 
under  the  charaHer  of  litde  children,  fays,  "  I  write 
unto  you,  litde  children,  becaufe  your  fins  are  for- 
given, for  his  name  fake  :  I  write  unto  you,  litde 
'Children,  becaufe  you  have  known  the  Father."  The 
f  Father 


24?  An    inquiry  into 

Father  is  not  known  to  any,  but  to  whomfoever  the 
fon  will  reveal  him.  When  they  underftood  the  for- 
givncfs  of  finsforhis  name's  fakejthey  know  the  father ; 
Thus  is  he,  who  is  love,  made  manifeit.  And  this  is 
whatlitde  children  in  Christ's  fchool  are  taught  by 
an  aged  apoftle,  "  I  write  unto  you,  little  children, 
becaufe  your  fins  are  forgiven  you,  for  his  name's  fake'' 
which  he  lays  in  the  foundation  of  his  exhortations  to 
them,  "  Love  not  the  world,"  ^c. 

I  am  awpire  of  an  objeftion  againft  what  I  have 
brought  to  view.  How  can  thefe  things  be  fo,  when 
we  fee  children,  as  foon  as  they  grow  up,  turn  after 
their  own  lufts,  after  "  the  courfe  of  this  world,  ac- 
cording to  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air,  the 
fpirit  that  now  worketh  in  the  children  of  difobedi- 
ence  .?"  Do  we  not  fee  children  and  youth  foon  arrive 
at  a  blocking  pitch  of  profanenefs  and  immorality  ? 
Yes,  verily,  multitudes  of  them  appear  to  be  in  the 
fnare  of  the  devil,  and  led  captive  by  him,  at  his  will : 
But  whofe  are  they  ?  Do  they  belong  to  him  who 
hathinfnared  them,  and  leads  them  captive  ;yea,  tho' 
he  fo  blind  their  minds  as  to  lead  them  to  profane 
the  name  of  their  rightful  owner,  and  to  fay  he  fhall 
not  reign  over  us,  doth  it  alienate  the  property  of 
them  ?  May  they  not  be  told  with  truth  and  proprie- 
ty, that  they  are  not  their  own,  they  belong  to  Jesus 
,  Christ,  to  whom  they  muft  give  an  account  of 
their  conduct?  who  will  bring  every  knee  of  them  to 
bow  to  him ;  that  they  are  working  out  their  owa 
fliame  and  confufion  of  face  before  him  ?  May  they 
not  be  called  to  repent ;  to  return  to  their  rightful 
proprietor,  owner  and  Lord  ? 

But  how  repent,  unlefs  they  are  wrong  in  their  alie- 
nation to  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  their  walking  accor- 
ding to  the  fpirit  that  now  worketh  in  the  children  of 
difobedience  ?  How  return,  if  they  have  not  gone 
aftray  ;  if  they  belong  not  to  their  Lor©  Redeem- 
er, 


TftE  CASE  OF  CHILDREN,  <£rc.        fi^f 

^r,  if  he  be  not  the  fhepherd  and  bifliop  of  theit 
fouls  ?  Is  not  this  idea  held  up  in  every  call  to  re- 
pentance ?  Ifaiah  xliv.  22,  "  Return,  for  I  have  re- 
deemed thee."  Jeremiah  iii.  12,  "Return,  ihovi 
back-fliding  Ifrael,  faith  the  Lord  ;"  14,  "  Turn,  O 
back-(iiding  children,  faith  the  Lord,  for  I  am  mar- 
ried unto  you ;"  32,  "Return,  ye  back-fliding  chil- 
dren, I  will  heal  your  backflidings."  The  idea  of 
his  right  as  Redeemer,  Hufband  and  Father,  is  im- 
plied in  the  call  to  return,  and  every  call  to  repent- 
ance fuppofes  mercy  :  "  There  is  forgivenefs  with 
thee,  that  thou  mayeft  be  feared,"  and  we  cannot  con- 
ceive of  mercy  but  in  a  confiftency  with  juftice  :  If 
juftice  is  fatisficd,  mercy  flows  without  obftruSlion, 
"  Return,  for  I  have  redeemed  thee." 

Befides,  as  they  are  in  the  fnare  of  the  Devil,  led 
captive  by  him  at  his  will,  "  for  this  purpofe  was  the 
fon  of  God  manifeft,  that  he  might  deftroy  the  works 
of  the  Devil." — When  the  prophet  //"^iaA  introduces 
the  inquiry,  chap.  xlix.  24,  '■  Shall  the  prey  be  ta- 
ken from  the  mighty,  or  *  the  lawful  captive  deli- 
vered ? '  t  The  anfwer  is,  verfe  25,  "  But  thus  faith 
ihe  Lord,  the  captives  of  the  mighty  fliall  be  taken 
away,  and  the  prey  of  the  terrible  ftiall  be  delivered, 
for  1  will  contend  with  him,  that  contendeth  with 
thee,  and  I  will  fave  thy  children."  He  will  not 
leave  them  in  his  hands;  no,  not  one  of  the  hundred; 
the  fliepherd  will  not  lofe  one  of  the  hundred  flieep; 
he  came  to  fave  that  which  is  loft  ;  he  came  to  do 
his  Father's  will,  and  it  is  not  his  will  "  that  one  of 
thefe  little  ones  fliould  perifli." 

Thus  much  Of  Children;  what  follows  is  ad- 
drelfcd  To  Ciiildren. 

Children — 

♦  Hebrew,  in  the  bible  margin,  '*  Th«Gaprtvity  of  the  juft." 
t  By  "  the  lawfvil  captive,"  or  "  the  captivity  of  the  juft,"  I  un- 
derftand,  tl^fct  thofe  who  were  taken  captive  by  the  mighty  adverfary, 
were  taken  from  where  they  lawfully  belonged,  led  captive^froirt  the 
juft  one,  theif  rightful  owner. 


ft48         An  address  to  CHILDREN*. 

Children — Let  me  aflc  your  attention  to  what  15 
laid  before   you,   fimply   from  the  fchptures, — Are 
thefe  things  fo  ?  If  fo,  methinks  it  is  '•  glad  tidings 
of  great  joy,"    and   fhews   the  ground    of  obligaiiort 
that  lies  upon  you  to    look  upon   yourfelves    as  not 
your  own,  as  not   at  liberty  to  walk    after  your  own 
lufts,  as  not  belonging    to  Satan,   however   he   may 
feek  to  devour  or  infnare  you, — you   belong  to  Je- 
sus ChiHst,  our  Creator,  Preserver,  and  Re- 
deemer,  he  has   bought  you  with  his   blood,  and' 
therefore  you  are  under   tl\e   higheft  obligations  to 
"  glorify  him  in  your  fpirits  and  bodies  which  are 
his  ;"  and  is  it  not  in  this  view,  mofl  ungrateful,  bafe 
and  wicked,  to  walk  contrary  thereunto?    I  have 
thought  whether  it  werd  not  the    ignorance   of  chiU 
dren  about  what  our  Lord  and  Saviour  is  to  them, 
has  done,  and  is  doing  for  them,  that  was  the  caufe  of 
their  finking  fo  low  into  the  mire  and  filth  of  profane- 
nefs  and  immorality  ;  while  a  fenfe  of  love  always  car- 
ries with  it,  a  fenfe  of  obligation  to  grateful  obedience  : 
Where  this  is  the  cafe,  it  would  be  natural  to   turn 
our  minds  to  the  exhortation  of  the    apoftle  to  chil- 
dren, "  children  obey  your   parent?  in  the  Lord  for 
this  is  right."  When  we  confider  the  wretched,  help- 
lefscircuQiftances  we    come   into  the  world  in,  and 
view  the  God  and  Fatherof  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Father  of  mercies,  giving  paternal  love,  tender- 
nefs  and  compaflion  to  our  parents,  and  bythismeans, 
daily  loading  us  with  his  benefits;  as  foon  as  we  are 
capable  of  reflefting,  itmuft  give  us  a  view  of  obli- 
gation to  gratitude  and  thankfulnefs,  which  cannot  be 
exprefled,  without  a  fenfe  of  obligation  to  obedience; 
therefore,  children  "  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord, 
for  this  is  right,  it  muft  commend  itfelf  to  your  own 
confciences  as  right. 

I  wifh  to  unfold  fomething  of  the  meaning  of  this 
expreflion  ;  if  I  could,  it  would  difcover  fuch   obli- 
gations 


An  address  to  CHILDREN.         249 

Rations  as  could  not  be  broken  through,  without  do* 
ing  violence  to  our  own  confciences,  our  peace  and 
comfort,  for  it  mud  lead  to  a  united  view  of  what  our 
Jesus  Christ  has  donc»  and  is  doing  for  us,  and 
what  he  makes  our  parents  to  us,  and  does  for  us  by 
their  means,  which  would  lead  our  minds  to  all  the 
thought,  care,  toil  and  labour  of  the  father,  and  to 
the  compafTionate  tendernefs  of  the  mother,  who  of- 
ten, with  much  pain  and  pleafure,  nourillics  her  ofF- 
fpring  from  her  own  body,  both  night  and  day;  well 
might  the  apoftle  fay,  "  children  obey  your  parents 
in  the  Lord,  for  this  is  right."  Here  alio  is  a  direc- 
tion to  children,  when  they  come  to  years  capable  of 
underftanding  the  will  of  God  in  Ciirist  Jesus  con- 
cerning them  ;  if  ever  the  parents,  through  the  prcva- , 
lency  of  temptation,  command  any  thing  contrary  to 
his  revealed  will,  to  remember  the  words  of  the 
apoftle  to  the  rulers  who  commanded  them  contrary 
to  the  will  of  the  Lord,  "we  ought  to,  obey  God 
rather  than  man,"  and  dutifully  to  remind  their  pa- 
rents of  the  reafons  of  their  condutl ;  to  pbey  in  any 
thing  contrary  to  his  revealed  will,  would  not  be  to 
obey  them  *'  in  the  Lord." 

"  Honor.thy  father  and. mother,"  which  is  the  firft 
commandmentj  with  promife,  "  that  it  may  ^)e  well 
with  thee,  and  that  thou  mayeft  live  long  on  the 
earth  ;"  a  contrary  conduQ,  flights  the  divine  autho- 
rity that  commands,  and  the  divine  promife  annexed 
thereto  ;  it  flights  our  own  welfare,  and  forfeits  life 
upon  earth.  What  bafe  folly,  guilt  and  fl>ame,  doth 
djTobedience  to  parents  carry  along  with  it ! 

When  the  apoille  to  the  Romans,  fpeaks  of  God's 
giving  over  the  Gentiles  to  a  reprobate  mind,  and 
rehearfes  what  they  were  filled  with  which  led  there- 
unto, we  find  in  the  catalogue,  "  difobedience  to 
parents,"  Romans  i.  30,  So  when  he  fpeaks  of  the 
perilous  times  that  fliould  come  in  the  laii  days,  one 
I  i  part 


iSO        An  address  to  CHILDREN'. 

part  of  the  defcription  is,  "  difobedience   to  parents/ 
2d.  of  Timothy  iii.  2. 

This  is  that  which,  befides  the  ingratitude,  bafe- 
nefs  and  wickednefs  that  appears  in  it,  has  a  leading 
tendency  to  various  others,  if  not  all  kinds  of  vice 
and  wickednefs  ;  Therefore,  "  children  obey  your 
{>arents  in  the  Lord  ;"  Honor  thy  father  and  mother, 
that  it  may  be  well  with  thee,  that  thou  may  eft  live 
long  upon  the  earth,"  even  till  it  pleafe  God  in  his 
providence,  to  call  you  by  a  natural  death,  in  his 
own  time  and  way,  and  not  hurry  yourfelves,  by  your 
difobedience,  into  the  hands  of  civil  juftice,  to  an 
untimely  death,  to  which  it  has  a  tendency. 

When  Jesus  Christ  addreffcd  his  difciples  under 
the  charatler  of  little  children,  Jfohn  xiii.  33,  the  ex- 
hortation he  had  to  give  them,  to  which  he  thus  call- 
ed their  attention,  was,  verfe  34,  "  a  new  command- 
ment I  give  unto  you,  that  ye  love  one  another  ;  as 
I  have  loved  you,  that  ye  alfo  love  one  another." — 
This  is  the  duty  of  every  one,  more  efpecially  of  all 
who  hope  for  falvation  from  the  love  of  the  Saviour, 
which  ought  to  excite  children  to  treat  one  another 
with  kindnefs  and  love,  not  to  wifh  evil  to  any  that 
offend  us,  not  to  "  render  evil  for  evil,"  not  to  defpife 
tbofe  that  are  poor,  but  endeavour  to  think  of  the  for- 
givenefsand  condtfcenfion  of  Jesus  Christ,  agree- 
able to  the  exhortation  of  the  apoftle,  Ephejians  iv. 
31,  let  all  bitternefs,  and  wrath,  and  anger,  and  cla- 
mour, and  evil  fpcaking,  be  put  away  from  you,  with 
all  malice,  and  be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  tender 
hearted,  forgiving  one  another,  even  as  Go  d  in  C 11  r  i  s  -^ 
hath  forgiven  you." 

Here  I  would  take  notice  of  what  I  have  feen  in 
fome  inftanccs,  with  fprrow.  When  young  perfons 
have  been  intruded  with  the  care  of  little  children, 
either  at  home,  or  to  lead  them  abroad,  they  have 
fcemed    to  lofe  all  fenfe  of  that  kindnefs  and  tender* 

heartednefsi 


An  address  to  CHILDREN.        251 

lieartednefs,  of  which  the  apoftle  fpeaks ;  and  as  it 
vere,  cruelly  divert  themfelves  with  telling  the  dear 
little  ones  frightful  (lories,  and  giving  out  many 
thrcatcnings  to  them,  until  fear  anddiftrefshasbanilh- 
ed  every  agreeable  feeling  from  their  tender  breafts 
and  they  burft  forth  into  fobbing  and  crying  ;  for 
which  they  have  been  called  crofs — twitched,  fcolded 
at,  threatened  and  beaten  :  Which  conduct,  in  many 
cafes,  has  been  of  very  hurtful  confequenccs.  How 
contrary  is  this  to  the  obligations  we  are  under  to 
walk  in  love  one  to  another  ! 

There  is  one  confideration  I  would  fuggefl  to  all 
that  have  the  care  of  litde  children;  i.e.  what  Jesus 
Christ  faid, "  of  fuch  is  the  kingdom  of  Heaven," 
and  in  that  remarkable  pafl'age,  Mark  ix.  36,  37, 
•'  he  took  a  child  and  fet  him  in  the  midft  of  them, 
and  when  he  had  taken  him  in  his  arms,"  (obferve 
the  bignefs  of  the  child,  a  child  in  the  arms)  "  he 
faid  unto  them,  whofoever  fhall  receive  one  of  fuch 
children,  in  my  name,  receiveth  me,  and  whofoever 
(hall  receive  me,  receiveth  him  that  fent  me."  Would 
Vfc  treat  Jesus  Christ  in  the  above  manner  were 
he  upon  earth  !  And  will  not  the  above  paflages  war- 
rant us  to  fay  that  he  is  now  on  earth,  in  the  Icaft  of 
thefe  his  brethren  ;  fo  that  as  ye  did  unto  them,  ye 
did  unto  him  ;  and  on  refleftion  on  the  above  con- 
duct, any  of  us  that  have  been  guilty,  on  recollecting 
what  we  have  done  when  we  thought  no  one  faw  us, 
may  well  be  afraid,  and  fay — furely  God  was  in  the 
place,  and  I  knew  it  not. 

May  the  thought  ever  excite  to  an  attention  to  the 
forementioned  exhortation, "  Let  all  bitterncfs  and 
vrath,  and  anger,  and  clamour,  and  evil  fpeaking, 
be  put  away."  Evil  fpeaking  comes  from  a  little 
member,  but  "  'Tis  a  fire,  a  world  of  iniquity ;  it 
fets  on  fire  the  courfe  of  nature,  and  is  fct  on  fire  of 
hell,"  faith  the  Apoftle,  James  iii.  6,  It  would  per- 
haps 


252         An  address  to  CHILDREN. 

baps  be  impoflible  to  defcribe  the  variety  into  which 
this  fire  blazes  and  unfolds  itfelf.  Without  attempt- 
ing this,  I  fiiall  juft  take  notice  of  it,  as  it  difcovers 
itfelf  in  profanenefs,  uncleannefs,  covetoufnefsj-fteal' 
ing,  and  lying. 

To  begin  with  profanenefs, — Can  there  be  any 
thing  more  bafe,  ungrateful,  and  wicked,  than  to  pro- 
fane tliat  worthy  name,  which  is  above  every  name, 
in  which  there  is  falvation,  the  juft  God  and  the  Sa- 
viour, Emanuel,  God  with  us.  We  know  not  God 
but  as  he  is  thus  manifeft  :  So  there  can  be  no  fpe- 
cies  of  profaning  that  name,  but  it  includes  in  it  the 
bafe  ingratitude  of  profaning  the  Saviour.  If  the 
confideration  of  his  being  their  God,  was  ufed  as  an 
argument  againfl  profanenefs  M'ith  ancient  Ifrael,  a§ 
Leviticus  xix.  12,  *?' Neither  fhalt  thou  profane  the 
name. of  thy  God,"  certainly  the  grace  manifefted  in 
the  gofpel  hath  the  fame  obligations  in  it ;  and  opens 
up  a  ground  of  perpetual  praife  and  thankfgiving  : 
And  who  of  us  are  not  at  fome  times  conllrained  to 
acknowledge  it  j  and  with  our  tongues  to  blefs  God, 
even  the  Father  ?  Shall  we  therewith  curfe  our  fel- 
low-creatures, "  that  are  made  after  the  fimilitude  of 
God  ?"  Jamts  iii.  9,  Certainly  thefe  things  ought  not 
fo  to  be  -y  the  grace  of  the  gofpel  teaches,  by  precept 
and  example,  "  to  blefs  them  that  curfe  you,  blef^ 
and  curfe  not,  love  your  enemies  \  do  good  to  them 
that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them  that  defpitefiilly  ufe 
and  perfecute  you."  Here  w^e  are  warranted  to  make 
ufe  of  the  Saviour's  name,  in  praying  for  our  enCr 
mies ;  he  bids  us,  and  fets  the  example".  How  con- 
trary the  profane  praftice  of  calling  on  his  name  to 
damn  thofe  we  think  injure  or  difpleafe  us !  It  comes 
as  evidently  from  the  deftroyer,  our  adverfary,  the 
devil,  as  the  above-mentioned  precepts  and  examples 
come  from  the  Saviour.  Stop  dear  child  !  ftop 
young  manj  over-heated  with  paflTion  and  refentment, 

an4 


An  address  to  CHILDREN.     '  253 

and  hurried  by  temptation  !  ftop  one  minute  andcoa- 
fider  vshich  you  ought  to  follow  :  Hear  the  apottle, 
■i  Let  all  evil  fpcaking  be  put  away  from  you,  with 
ail  malice." 

The  next  branch  of  evil  fpeaking  I  would  take  no- 
lice  of,  is  uncleannefs.  If  we  confidcr  the  warnings 
and  cautions  given  againft  it  by  the  apoilles  of 
Christ,*  we  muft  fee  the  the  propriety  of  cur  chil- 
dren's being  warned  to  fliufi  the  appearance  of  this 
evil;  to  fhun  the  fpeechcs,  behavior  and  company? 
that  tends  hereunto.  What  Ihameful  ingratitude  doth 
it  difcover,  when  we  fee  our  children,  who  are  pri- 
vileged in  their  education  fo  as  to  be  able  to  write 
theJr  thoughts  legibly,  defiling  the  fences,  as  they  paf"? 
the  llreets, with ihameful  uncleannefs!  writing  what 
they  would  at  firfl;  be  afraid  to  fpeak,  until  their  minds 
are  hardened  by  writing,  then  reading  and  repeating, 
iintil  they  contra6l  a  hi>bit  of  evil  fpeaking ;  whicli 
has  a  tendency,  as  they  grpw  up,  to  lead  after  all  un- 
cleannefs with  greedinefs.  I  think  I  may  tell  them 
with  truth,  if  they  fliould  live  two  or  three  times 
twenty  years  after,  it  would  not  obliterate,  but  in- 
creafe  the  fliame  that  fuch  conduct  muft  produce, 
iipon  the  remembrance  of  fuch  follies  ;  for  old  age 
has  a  lively  remembrance  of  what  is  done  in  youth, 
though  it  forgets  later  tranfaftions ;  and  the  fenie  of 
forgivenefs  doth  not  take  away  the  ground  of  fliame, 

but 

*  See  Galations  v.  19,  Ephefians  v.  3,  to  6,  Colojiatts  Vn.  5,  to  8,  ifl 
of  Thejfahnians,  iv.  3,  to  8,  ift  of  Peter,  iv.  2,  3,  And  in  the  gpiltle 
to  the  Corimhians,  rhe  apoftle  fays,  "  Wliat  know  yc  not  that  your 
bodies  are  the  members  of  Christ  ;  fliall  I  then  take  the  members  of 
Christ,  and  make  them  the  members  of  an  liarlot  ?  GOD  torbid. — 
"What  !  know  ye  not  that  he  that  is  joined  to  an  harlot  is  one  body, 
for  two  fliall  be  one  flefli  ;  but  lie  that  is  joined  to  the  Lord  is  one 
fpirit.  Flee  fornication  :  Every  fin  that  a  mai)  doth  ib  without  thc 
body  ;  but  he  that  committeth  fornication, finneth againft  liisown  body, 
^Vhat  !  know  yc  not  that  your  body  is  the  temple  of  the  holy  ghofl: 
in  you,  which  ye  have  of  God,  and  ye  are  not  your  own,  tor  yc  are 
bought  with  a'price  ?  Therefore  glorify  God  in  your  body  and  in 
your  fpirit,  which  are  God's."    ift  of  Corinthians,  vi.  15,  ty  the  end. 


254        An  address  to  CHILDREN. 

but  increafes  it,  agreeable  to  Ezekielxvi,  63,  "  That 
thou  mayft  remember  and  be  afhamed  and  r-onfoundT 
cd,  and  never  open  thy  mouth  any  more  becaufe  of 
lijy  fliame,  when  I  am  pacified  towards  thee  for  aU 
\\<xt  thou  haft  done,  faith  the  Lord  God."  This  \ 
would  clofe  with  the  advice  of  Divine  wifdom,  Pro-r 
verbs  vii.  24  to  27,  *'  Hearken  unto  me  now  there^ 
fore,  O  ye  children,  ^nd  attend  to  the  words  of  my 
mouth  ;  let  not  thine  heart  decline  to  her  ways  ;  go 
not  aftr^y  in  her  paths  ;  for  fhe  hath  caft  down  many 
"wounded,  yea,  many  ftrong  have  been  flain  by  her  ; 
Her  houfe  the  way  to  hell,  going  down  to  the  cham- 
bers of  death." 

I  might  mention  the  fcripture  warnings  and  cau^ 
tions  againft  covetoufnefs,  ftealing  and  lying.  Cov- 
etoufnefs  in  children  difcovers  itfelf  in  a  fretful  unea-i 
finefs  for  what  belongs  to  other  children,  prompting 
them  to  attain  it  by  any  means,  if  it  cannot  be  had, 
as  they  fay,  by  fair  means,  and  tempts  them  to  fteal, 
and  then  to  lie  to  hide  the  crime.  The  ftory  of  A.-^ 
chan  is  left  on  record  for  warning  and  admonition, 
which  we  have  in  Jfjliua  vii.  particularly  verfes  20 
and  21,  where  Achan  fays,  "  Indeed  I  have  finned 
againft  the  Lord  God  of  Ifrael,  when  I  faw  among 
the  fpoils  a  goodly  Babylonifh  garment,  and  two 
hundred  fhekels  of  filver,  and  a  wedge  of  gold,  of  fif^. 
ty  fhekles  weight,  then  I  coveted  them  and  took 
them,  and  behold  them  hid  in  the  earth,  in  the  midl^ 
of  my  tent,"  &c. 

Covetoufnefs  is  idolatry,  it  makes  ^n  idol  of  what 
it  fixes  on  :  Can  there  be  any  thing  more  bafe  and 
difingenuous,  when  we  confider  what  God  is  to  us, 
and  hath  done  for  us,  than  to  prefer  any  thing  our 
peevifh  minds  covet  after,  and  in  purfuit  of  it  to  difo- 
bey  him.  The  apoftle  fpeaking  to  the  Ephefians, 
who  were  in  fome  meafure  acquainted  with  what  Goo 
in  Christ  was  to  them,  and  had  done  for  them,  fays, 

chap* 


An  address  to  CHILDREN.  255 

chap.  iv.  28,  "  Let  them  that  ftole,  (leal  no  more,  but 
rather  let  him  labour,  working  with  his  hands  the 
thing  that  is  good,  as  (hewing  a  more  excellent  way 
of  attaining  what  we  need,  and  helping  thofe  that 
may  need  help  from  us.  And  in  the  fame  chapter^ 
lie  exhorts  to  put  away  lying,  and  fpeak  truth  "  every 
man  to  his  neighbour,"  from  this  motive,  "  for  we 
are  members  one  of  another;"  therefore,  in  this  view, 
we  att  as  if  we  would  deceive  ourlelves,  as  if  the  eye 
fliould  purpofely  betray  the  feet  into  the  mire. 

By  what  has  been  brought  to  view  of  the  ingrati- 
tude and  bafcnefs  of  fome  of  the  many  works  of  the 
flefli,  fomething  is  dikoverable  of  the  fource  from 
whence  they  proceed,  and  of  the  darkneis,  diftrefs 
and  mifery  to  which  they  tend :  It  may  lead  to  the 
fame  reflections  on  all  the  works  of  the  flefh,  which 
are  brought  to  view  by  Jesus  Christ,  Mattheio  xv. 
19,  20,  Mark  vii.  21,  22,  and  by  the  apoftle.  Gala- 
tio/is  v.  19,  20,  21,  It  might  be  very  feafonable  and 
profitable  by  way  of  contraft,  to  confider  the  fource 
and  leading  tendency  of  the  fruits  of  the  fpirit,  againft 
which  there  is  no  law,  the  very  mention  of  v*hich,  as 
they  are  enumerated  by  the  apoftle,  Galatians  v,  22, 
23,  wears  the  afpeft  of  delight  and  fatisfaftion,  both 
as  they  flow  from  the  love  of  Jesus,  and  lead  to  an 
imitation  of  him,  and  fatisfaftion  in  him  :  But  as  I 
mean  not  to  burden  young  minds  with  what  is  over 
lengthy,  I  only  hint  at  thefe  things,  to  open  a  field 
for  themfelves  to  walk  in  with  pleafure,  delight  and 
thankfgiving,*  as  they  come  to  be  capable ;  knowing 
that  the  path  of  the  juft  one,  which  he  trod  and  laid 
out  for  his  followers  to  walk  in,  who  has  given  us  an 

example 

*  Thankfgiving  is  a  grateful,  dcliohtfiil  expreilion  of  our  oblij^a- 
tiontoGoD,  tor  the  md'nifeitation  ot  himfelt,  "in  Christ  Jpsus 
who  is  love  ;  *•  and  for  all  the  mercies  that  flow  to  us  tVotn  that  fcun- 
taiii,  both  temporal,  Ipiiitiial,  and  eternal,  which  is  to  be  expicfled  in 
thinking,  fpeaking,  fmging  and  living  his  praifo,  to  which  ciuldren  are 
encouraged,  by  the  gracious  acceptance  the  children  nut  with  from 
Jesus  Christ,  in  their  hefaruia's  to  the  ion.  of  David,  Sdattheuj  /.xii. 
«5>  *<- 


2s6        An  address  to  CHILD^REK. 

example,  "  that  we  fliould  follow  his  fteps,  is  as  "  tlie 
fliining  light  that  fliineth   more   and  more  unto 'the 
perfc6i  day,"  while  the  way  of  the  wicked  one,  into, 
which  he  feeks  to  infnare  his  follov/ers,  is  as  darkncfs. 
Proverbs  iv.  18,  19. 

Thu5f*  dear  children,  1  have  endeavoured  to  lead 
your  minds  to  the  grace  revealed  in  the  gofpel,  and 
t0  the  view  of  the  obligations  this  grace  lays  upon 
us  ; — if  you  accept  my  attempt,  and  are  hereby  exci- 
ted to  turn  over  the  pages  of  revelation,  and  to  attend . 
to  Jesus  Christ  and  his  apoftles,  fpeaking  in  them, 
I  have  all  I  wiili  for  from  )^ou  :  I  know  I  am  not 
my  own,  and  that  every  opportunity  and  talent  I  have, 
belongs  to  my  Redeemer  ;  therefore,  fo  fiir  as  duty 
to  him,  and  love  to  you  hath  excited  me  hereto,  I 
have  reafon  to  be  faijsfied,  whatever  reception  it 
hath.  To  his  honor  and  glory,  and  your  comfort  and 
benefit  it  is  devoted.  To  the  only  wife  God  our 
Saviour,  glory  and,  majcfty,  dominion  and  pov;er, 
bodi  now  and  ever, 

A  M  E  N. 


SECTION      VIII. 


A  Dialogue  hetzveen  Teacher  and  Scholar, /br 
fhe  benefit  of  young  men  :  Or,  an  atttmpf  to  imitate 
Timothy's  Catkchism  ;  who  from  a  child  knew 
the  Holy  Scriptures^  that  were  able  to  make  him  wife 
to  Salvation^  through  the  faith  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus,  2d.  Tim.  iii.  15.  Eting  an  attention  to 
two  quefiions  o-rifing  from  what  the  Scriptures  prin- 
cipally teach^  viz.  ift.  What  is  Man  to  believe  con^ 
ccrning  God  ?  2d.  What  doth  God  require  of  Man? 

Scholar. 

O.IR5  T  have  been  attending  to  the  Affemblies 
Catechiim,  and  the  three  Mrft  anfvvers  appear  intel- 
ligrblc  ;  but  when  I  come  to  the  que  (lion,  What  is 
God  ?  I  would  fay,  As  the  chief  end  of  man  is  to 
glorify  God  and  enjoy  him  forever,  and  the  fcrip- 
tures  are  the  only  rule  to  direflL  us  how  we  may  thus 
glorify  and  enjoy  him,  and  they  principally  teach 
whatmanis  to  beheve  concerning  God,  and  what  he 
requires  of  man,  in  order  to  this  chief  end,  I  would 
wifh  to  be  taught  from  this  only  rule,  fuppofing  it 
more  plain  and  eafy  to  be  underftod  than  any  other. 
I  therefore  afli,  that  I  may  be  taught  from  the  fcrip- 
tures  what  I  am  to  believe  concerning  God. 

Teacher.  Though  your  requelt  is  fingular,  Ican't 
but  fuppofe  it  is  reafonable,  although  it  makes  me  at 
a  iofs  how  to  anfwer  you  ;  if  I  fhould  attempt  it  by 
bringing  to  your  view  fomc  of  the  many  paffages  of 
fcripture  in  which  it  hath  pleafed  God  to  reveal 
himfelf  unto  us  ]  I  would  firft  take  notice  that  the 
fcriptures  are  often  fpoken  of  as  the  Old  and  New- 
Tcllament,  pr  the  old  and  new,  ftrll  and  fecond  Co- 
K  k  venant; 


«5S  A  DIALOGUE  BETWEEM 

vcnant ;  the  letter  and   the  fpirit,   the  law  and  the 
gofpel  ;  and  in  order  to  underftand  them,  we  are  to 
diflinguifh  between  the    language  of  the  law  and  the 
language  of  the  gofpel,  or  elfe  we  fhall  be  in  danger 
of  viewing  one  pafTage  of  fcripture    contradiclory  to 
another.     For  inftance  : 
The  law  faith, 
Gal.  iii.  lO,  Ciirfed  is  fvery  one  that  continuetk  not 
in  all  tlimgs  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them. 
The  gofpel  faith.  Gal.   iii.  13,    Chriji  hath  redeemed 
Hi  from  the   curfe  of  the  law,  being  made  a  curfs 
for  us. 

Ifaiah  fpcaking  in  the  language  of  the  law,  faith, 
chap.  V.  25,  and  ix.  12,  and  xvii.  21,  and  x.  4,  Af- 
ter repeating  various  judgments  that  befel  the  peo- 
ple of  Judea,  and  Jerufalem,  in  cOnfequence  of  their 
iranfgreffions,  repeateth,  For  all  this  his  anger  is  not 
turned  axoay,  but  his  hand  is  firelched  outflill. 

The  fame  prophet  fpeaking  the  language  of  the 
gofpel,  faith,  chap.  xii.  1,  In  that  day  thou  fhalt  fay^ 
O  Lord  I  will  praife  thee ;  though  thou  wafi  angry 
•with  me  ;  thine  anger  is  turned  away,  and  thou  dofl 
comfort  me.  Cliap.  xxv.  10,  For  in  this  viountain 
fhall  the  hand  of  the  Lord  rejl. 

Whatever  they  fuffered  confequent  on  their  rebel- 
lion, there  was  no  atonement ;  juftice  was  not  fatif- 
fied,  but  his  hand  is  ftretched  out  ftiil.  But  fpeak- 
ing gofpel  language,  he  points  to  Jefus  under  the 
name  of  this  mountain,  where  the  hand  of  the  Lord 
refts. 

Jofhua  fpeaking  in  the  language  of  the  law,  faith, 
chap.  xxiv.  19,  Ye  cannot  ferve  the  Lord  your  God^ 
for  he  is  an  holy  God^  he  is  a  jealous  God,  he  will  not 
forgive  your  iranfgreffions  nor  your  fins, 

Ifaiah  fpeaking  in  the  language  of  the  gofpel,  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  faith,  /  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy 
iranfgreffions  for  my  own  namcfake^    And  EzekicI 

XX*  • 


TEACHER  AKD  SCHOLAR.  259^. 

XX.  40,  faith,  For  in  mint  holy  mountain^  in  the  moun- 
tain of  the  height  of  Zion^  there  Jhall  all  the  houfe  of 
Jfrael^  all  of  them  in  the  land  ferve  me,  and  there  will 
J  accept  them. 

Scholar.  You  remember,  fir,  the  queftion  was. 
What  is  God  ?  which  I  wifhed  to  be  anfwered  from 
the  fcriptures  ? 

Teacher.  I  fuppofed  the  obfcrvations  I  have 
made,  needful  for  tlie  underflanding  of  it,  under  the 
law,  we  read  that  God  would  dwell  in  the  thick  dark- 
nrfs :  And  Mofes  drew  near  to  the  thick  darknefs  zuhere. 
God  was ;  and  he  fpake  to  all  the  people  out  of  the. 
midjl  of  the  fire^  and  out  of  the  thick  darknefs  ;  he 
made  darknefs  his  paviUion  round  about,  darknefs  was 
under  his  feet, i^c.  Under  the  gofpel  we  read  God  is 
light,  and  in  him  is  no  darknefs  at  all  ;  that  God  who 
dwelt  in  thick  darknefs  is  made  manifeft  to  us  in 
Chriftjefus,the  great  myftery  that  was  hid  in  the  thick 
darknefs  of  the  former  law  difpenfation,  is  laid  open 
under  the  gofpel,  God  was  manifefl  in  the  flefh. 

John  faith  no  man  hath  feen  God  at  any  time.  The 
finly  begotten  Son  which  was  ijithe  bofomof  the  Father 
he  hath  declared  him,  no  man  knoweth  the  Father,  favc 
the  Son,and  he  to  whomfoever  the  Son  will  reveal  him; 
if  ye  had  known  me,yefhould  have  known  my  Father 
alfo,  and  from  henceforth  ye  know  him  and  have  feen 
him,  Philip  upon  this,  faith.  Lord  fhew  us  the  Fa- 
ther, and  it  fujiceth  us,  Jefus  faith  unto  him,  have 
J  been  fo  long  time  with  you,  and  yd  hafl  thou  not  known 
me,  Philip  :  he  that  hath  feen  me  hath  fee7i  the  Father^ 
and  how  fay  efl  thou,  fhew  us  the  Father,  bclievefl  ihon 
not  that  I  am  in  my  Father,  and  the  Father  in  me.  A 
view  of  thefe  things  fiiew  that  the  knowledge  of  God 
was  to  be  more  fully  manifefted  under  the  gofpel 
difpenfation. 

The  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  Goo  is 
given  to  us  under  the  gofpel  difpenfation  in  the  face 
of  Jesus  Christ,  rt'Ao   is  the  image  of  the  invifible 

God, 


26o  A  DIALOGUE  BETWEEK 

Cod,  the  hrigktnefs  of  his  gtory,  and  the  exjtrefs  image 
6f  hisfcrjon. 

Scholar.  Doth  not  the  fcriptures  fpeak  of  God 
as  unci  ■arigcable,  how  then  am  I  to  underftancl  the  dif- 
tinction  you  Tpeak  of? 

Teacher.  To  illuftrate  ray  meaning  I  would  fay, 
\{  I  were  convicted  as  a  criminal  or  defperate  debtor; 
I  could  fee  nothing  but  what  the  law  manifefted  as 
my  portion,  which  would  make  all  diftrefs  and  dark- 
nefs  to  me,  look  which  way  I  would  ;  and  coming  to 
the  judgment  feat,  could  expeft  nothing  but  that  it 
was  a  lure  ftep  to  the  inflifclion  of  tlie  penalty  of  the 
law  upon  me  ;  but  to  my  furprife  it  was  manifefted 
beyond  all  contradiftion,  that  my  father,  my  friend, 
my  hulband,  my  brother,  whom  I  look  on  as  my  ene- 
my, and  had  no  expeftation  from,  by  reafon  of  my 
crimes,  has,  unafked,  fuffered  the  penalty  and  paid 
the  debt,  that  in  the  nature  of  law  and  juftice  I  was 
difcharged,  and  to  my  furprife  found  this  united  cha- 
racter was  my  advocate  and  judge.  Then  that  eflen-  . 
tial  love  which  was  the  moving  caufe  of  all  that  was 
done  for  me  which  before  was  hid  in  thick  darknefs 
was  now  made  manifeft,  which  took  place  before  the 
manifeftation  of  it  to  me,  and  was  as  true  before  I 
knew  it  as  afterward  ; — The  way  is  now  open  for 
your  queftion,  which  you  wifhedto  be  anfweredfrom 
the  fcriptures. 

Scholar.     The  queftion  is,  What  is  Goo  ? 

Teacher.    God  is  love. 

God  IS  light  and  in  him  is  no  darknefs  at  all. — Saith 
John. 

The  God  of  peace, — Saith  the  Apoftle  to  the  He- 
brews. 

The  God  of  patience  and  confolation. 

The  God  of  hope. — Saith  Paul. 

The  God  of  all  grace, — Saith  Peter. 

Scholar. 


tEACHER  AND  S*CHDL4R.  iU 

Scholar.  Your  anfwer  is  taken  from  the  Ncw- 
Teftamcnt ;  doth  the  Old-Teftament  afford  evidence 
ofthe  fame  truth  ? 

Teacher.  Yes  ;  when  the  law  of  Mofes,  th'C 
Prophets  and  the  Pfalms  fpeaks  in  gofpel  language. 

Scholar.  This  is  an  interefting  fubjeft,  and  I 
vifii  to  have  a  fpecimen  from  each  of  then. 

Teacher.  It  mult  be  but  a  fpecimen,  for  neither 
the  time  nor  my  capacity  will  admit  of  confidering  it 
fully. 

Scpiolar.  Perhaps  your  mentioning  a  few  irt- 
ftances  may  help  me  in  my  further  fearching  the 
I'cripturcs. 

Teacher.    'Mofes  hath    this  name   marifefted  to 
him,  *  The  Lord  defcended  in  a  cloudy  and  flood  with 
him   there,  and  proclaimed  the  Lord,  the    Lord   God 
merciful  and  gracious,  forgiving  iniquity,  and  tranf' 
grejjion,  and  Jin  ;  and  thai  will  by  no  ftieans  deer,—" 
(the  two  words  following)  viz.  /he  guilty  'dVQ  of  a  dif- 
ferent character,  to  fhew  they   were   lupplied  by  the 
tranflators,   and   they    appear  to  *darken  the  (enfe  of 
the  paffage  ;  for  we  can't  conceive  ofthe  forgivencfs 
of  iniquities,  tranfgrelTions,  and  fm  ;  while  he  will  by 
tio  means  clear  the  guilty  :  And  therefore  I  conceive 
the  words  refer  to  the  furety  on  whom  the  Lord  laid 
the  iniquities  of  us  all,   and  fpared  not  his  own  wSon, 
but  delivered    him  up  for  us  all.     This  name  being 
thus   manifclted   to   Mofes,   or  as  it    is   exprcffed  in 
Pfalm    cii.   He  made  known  his  xvay  unto  Mofes,  His 
way  of  fhewing  mercy  ;  and  his  name  the  Lord  God 
merciful  and  gracious,  &c.  being  the  fame  when  this 
ismanifefted  to   Mofes,  in  a  time    of  great   difirefs, 
when  the  people    of  Ifrael   had   rebelled   and  were 
threatened  with  being  difinherited,  he  pleads  the  di- 
vine   name  on  their  behalf,  "  And  now  I  beferch  thee 
let  the  power  of  my  Lord  be  great,  according  as  thou 

hajl 
*  Exodus,  xxiv.  5,  6,  7. 


fi62  A  DIALOGUJS:  BETWEEN 

f^({ft  fpoken,faying.  The  Lord  is  long-fitjfermg  and  of 
great  mercy,  forgiving  iniquity,  tranfgrejfion,  andjin^ 
and  by  no  ?neaiis  clearing  ;  (having  dirett  refpett  to 
the  furety  who  his  own  felf  bear  our  fins  in  his  own 
body  to  the  tree.)  Pardon,  I  bejeech  ihee,  the  iniqui' 
ty  of  this  ■people, ai  thou  haji  done  from  Egypt  until  noiy, 
the  anfwer  follows,  /  have  pardoned  according  to  thy 
'  "Ujordr* 

Scholar,  I  take  notice  you  have  not  mentioned 
a  part  of  tlie  above  paflages  where  it  is  faid,^  Vifiting 
the  iniquities  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children,  to  the 
third  and  fourth  generation.  I  wifli  to  hear  your 
thoughts  upon  it. 

Teacher.  When  I  have  thought  on  the  pafla- 
ge,  I  fuppofed  it  had  reference  to  what  was  to  take 
place  under  the  law  difpenfation,  till  the  coming  of 
Chrift;  we  read  of  the  generations  from  Ahrakavi  ta 
David,  and  from  Dxivid  to  the  carrying  away  into 
Babylon,  and  from  the  carrying  away  into  Babylon^ 
unto  Chrijl ;  now  Jefus  Chrift  came  under  this  third 
divifion,  difpenfation,  or  generation,  for  he  was  made 
under  the  law,  came  under  that  difpenfation,  and 
introduced  the  gofpel  difpenfation  ;  and  in  this  view 
may  be  called  the  third  and  fourth  generation,  till 
which  lime  the  law  difpenfation  lafted,  and  iniquities 
were  thus  vifited  ;  this  is  the  cleareft  account  I  am 
at  prefent  able  to  give,  and  ready  to  attend  to  any . 
one  who  hatha  clearer  view  of  the  paffage. 

Scholar.  You  will  pleafe  to  proceed  to  the  an- 
fwer to  the  queflion  from  the  prophets. 

Teacher.  It  is  to  be  obferved  with  joy  that  the 
prophet  Ifaiah  unites  in  the  Divine  chara6ler  thofe 
perfections  which  fecure  our  falvation ;  t  /  the  Lord 
and  no  God  befides  me  ;  the  jiift  God  and  the  Saviour^ 
none  befides  me,  which  agree  with  +Zechariah,  Behold 
thy  King  comet h  unto  thee,  he  isfufi,  and  having  falvOf 

tion^ 
•  Numbers  xiv.  17  to  30.      f  Ifaiah  xiv.  si.     J  Zechariah  ix.  9j 


TKACnttL  AN»  SCHOLAI^,  26^ 

Hon,  fo  he  connefts  the  character  of  Creator,  Kingi 
Lord,  Father,  Hufband,  &c.  with  Redeemer. 

♦  Thy  Maker,  thy  Hujbani^  the  Lord  of  Hojls  his 
name,  the  God  of  the  whole  earth fhall  he  be  called. 
Faffing  the  various  paffages  where  this  confoling  con'* 
nettion  is  repeated,  in  the  abovementioned  prophet; 
I  will  juft  mention  the  laft  that  I  remember  in  the 
prophefy  where  it  is  called  his  name  from  everlaft* 
ing  :f  Doubtlefs  thou  art  our  Fat  her,  though  Abrahant 
be  ignorant  of  us,  and  Ifrael  acknowledge  us  not,  thou 
art  our  Father,  our  Redeemer,  thy  name  from  evcrlaji- 
ing.  Jeremiah  fpeaks  of  him,  as  calling  rebellious 
Ifrael  children,  X  ^^^^*  ^  backfliding  children  :  §  Will 
thou  not  from  this  time  cry  unto  me,  my  Father  thou 
the  guide  of  my  youth,  and  the  compaffionate  tender- 
nefsof  a  Father  is  exprefled  :  ^Return,  I  will  not 
canje  my  anger  to  fall  upon  you,  return  ye  backfliding 
children,  I  will  heal  your  backflidings  :  Not,  and  I 
will  as  a  condition,  the  and,  in  both  verfes,  is  fuppli- 
cd  by  the  tranflator ;  but  'tis  return,  I  will  heal  your 
backflidings.  Return,  I  will  not  caufe  mine  anger 
to  fall  upon  you,  for  I  am  merciful,  faith  the  Lord. 
When  our  minds  are  led  to  the  underftanding  view 
of  the  riches  of  Divine  grace  appearing  herein,  we 
may  well,  with  aftoniflied  admiration,  call  to  mind 
that  majeftic  expreflion,  **  Behold  I  the  Lord,  the 
God  of  all  flesh.  Is  there  any  thing  too  hard  for 
me  ?  blcffcd  be  his  name,  he  condefcends  to  fay,tt 
lam  married  untoyou,"^  and  this  is  his  name  whereby 
he  ihall  be  called,  the  Lord  puR  Righteousness. 

Perhaps  I  (hould  lire  you  lo^turn  to  the  reft  of  the 
prophets,  to  colleft  a  fpecimcn  of  their  anfwer  to  the 
queftion  ;  therefore,  fhall  leave  it  to  your  delightful 
contemplation  when  you  have  opportunity. 

Scholar. 

•  Ifaiah  liv.  5.    f  Ifaiahlxlii  i5.    J  Jeremiah  iii.u.      ^  Vcrfe  4. 
II  Verfe  u.         ••  J-remiah    xxxii.  27.        tf  Jeremiah  iii.  14. 
\X  Jeremiah  xxvi.  3. 


264         A  DIALOGUE  BETWEEi^ 

SciiQLAR.    You  may  remember,  you   mentioned 
the  pfahxis,  from  which  I  fhould  be  glad  to  hear  fome* 

.  Teacher.  I  need  only  remind  you,  that  God  ijt 
firequently  called  in  the  pfalms,  the  God  of  our  Sal- 
vation ;  and  that  agreeable  to  the  defcription  in  thci 
prophet  Ifaiah,  thejuft  God  and  the  Saviour  :  So 
righteoufncfs  and  falvation  is  connefted  in  the  pfalms : 
For  example,  fee  pfalm  xcviii.  2,  "  The  Lord  hatk 
made  known  his  Jalvaiion^  his  r:ghteoufneJs  hath  he 
epenly  Picwed^  in  the  Jight  of  the  heathen^  he  hath  re* 
me7nhered.his  r,iercy^  and  his  truth  towards  the  honfcof 
Jfrael.  All  the  ends  of  the  earth  have  fecn  the  falva- 
tion of  our  God  ; '  which  if  we  compare  with  the  di- 
r^dion  to  all  the  earth,  in  the  xcvi  pfalm,  1,  2,  To 
fJiew  forth  his  falvation  from  day  to  day,  we  may  with 
|)leafure,  fee  the  connection  in  the  call  to  praife  and 
thankfgiving  in  both  pfalms,  for  all  the  earth,  the 
heavens,  the.  fea  and  the  fulnefs  thereof ;  the  fields, 
the  trees,  the  floods  and  the  litde  hills,  which  are  all 
called  to  be  joyful  together.  The  matt^-  of  the  joy 
is,  the  Lord  hath  made  known  his  falvation,  his 
RIGHTEOUSNESS  hath  he  openly  (hewed  in  the  fight; 
of  the  heathen,  &c. 

Scholar.  What  you  have  made  mention  of  ap» 
pears  fcripturai  and  comfortable  j  in  every  view  it 
feems  fuitable  to  adopt  the  language  of  Ixii  pfalm, 
*'  My  foul  wait  thou  only  upon  God,  for  my  expeEla* 
tion  IS  from  him^  he  only  is  7ny  rock  and  my  falvation^ 
my  defence,  I  fJiall  not  he  greatly  moved  ;  in  God  is  my 
falvation  and  my  glory,  the  rock  of  my  Jirength  ;  and 
my  refuge  is  in  God  ;  trufl  in  him  at  all  times  ye  peo- 
ple, pour  out  your  hearts  before  him.  God  is  a  refuge 
for  us." 

But  I  recollect  you  f-iid,  under  the  gofpel,  God  is 
manifeft  in  the  flefli,  and  what  v/c  know  of  God,  is 
manifeft  in  Chrifl  Jefus,  ivho  is  the  image  of  the  in- 

vifillc 


TEACHER  AND  SCHOLAR.  265 

•jrfihh  God,  the  hrightnefs,  of  his  glory,  and  the  exprefs 
image  of  his  per  Jon.  I  wifh  you  to  exprefs  yourfelf  a 
a  little  upon  it,  to  help  my  underllanding. 

Teacher.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  when  MoCes 
was  fcnt  to  the  children  of  Ifrael?  to  fay  to  them,  The 
God  of  your  fathers  hath  fent  me  unto  you,  and  they 
fhould  fay,  What  is  his  name  ?  The  anfwer  was,  1  k^ 
that  I  AxM,  and  thus  Jli all  thou  fay  to  the  children  of 
Jfrael,  I  k^\  hath  fnt  me  unto  you.  When  Jesus 
afked  the  band  and  officers  that  came  to  apprehend 
him,  Wliom  feek  ye  ?  they  faid  Jesus  of  Nazareth,* 
Jesus  faith  unto  them,  I  am  ;  as  foon  then  as  he  faid 
unto  them,  I  am,  they  went  backward  and  fell  to  the 
ground.  And  again  he  fays  to  them,t  Bejort  Abra- 
ham zuas,  I  dm. 

.  Scholar.  If  you  pleafe,  1  fllould  be  glad  of 
fome  farther  particulars. 

Teacher.  I  will  prdceed  to  inftance  ift.  in  cre- 
ation. Mofes  faith,  Genefis  i.  1,  In  the  beginning 
God  created  the  heavens  and  the  earth.  Nehe.  ix.  6, 
Thou,  thou  art  Lord  aloiie  :  Thou  hafl  made  the 
heaven,  the  heaven  of  heavens,  with  all  their  hofi ;  the 
earth,  the  fas,  and  all  that  is  in  them.  John 
ipeaking  of  Jesus,  faith,  chap,  i,  :^,  All  things  were 
created  by  him,  and  without  him  was  not  any  thing 
made  that  was  made  :  Verfe  10,  the  world  was  made' 
by  him.  Coloflians  i.  16,  17,  For  by  him  were  all 
things  created  that  are  in  heaven  and  that  are  in  earth, 
all  things  were  created  by  him  and  for  him. 

2dly.  Prefervation.  Nehemiah  adds,  And  thou 
prefervef  them  all.  Pfalm  xxxvi.  6,  O  Lord,  thou 
prefervejl  manand  beafl.  So  Paul,  fpeaking  of  Jesus 
faith,  By  him  all  things  confifl.  Plebrcws  i.  3,  Up- 
holding all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power. 

gdly.     Redemption  is  afcribed  to    God.     Pfalm 

cxxx.  8,  HeJJiall  redeem  Ifraelfrom  all  his   iniqui- 

L  1  ties. 

*  John  xviii.  4,  5.  f  John  Viii.  58. 


266  A  DIALOGUE  BETWEEN 

ties.  And  he  is  called  our  Redeemer  nine  times  ifl 
the  prophecy  oflfaiah.  The  name  Jesus  was  given, 
J'or  he  /hall  fave  hii  people  from  their  Jins ;  and  Paul 
fpeaking  of  him,  in  his  epiftle  to  Titus,  Qiith,  chap, 
ii.  14,  Who  gave  hivijelf for  us  that  he  might  redeem 
■us  from  all  iniquity. 

4th]y.  Forgivenefs  of  fins  belongs  to  God,  Pfalm 
ciii.  3,  Whoforgiveth  all  thine  iniquities.  It  belongs 
to  Chrijl  in  zvhom  we  have  redemptioji  through  his 
blood  ;  *  the  forgivenefs  offins^  who  faid,  t  Man  thy 
finsbe  forgiven  thee,  and  to  her,  +  Thy  fins  are  for- 
given. 

5thly*  The  knowledge  of  the  hearts  of  men  isaf- 
cribed  to  God  only,  ift  of  Kings,viii.  39,  For  thoii^ 
thou  only  knowefl  the  hearts  of  all  the  children  of  men. 

In  Matthew  xii.  25,  we  read,  Jesus  knew  their 
thoughts.  And  John  ii.  24,  Jesus  knew  all  men  ; 
he  knew  what  was  in  man. 

6thly.  Healing  the  fick.  Exodus  xv.  26,  I  am  the 
Lord  that  healeth  thee.  Pfalm  ciii.  3,  Who  healethall 
thy  difeafes. 

We  read  in  Matthew  iv.  23,  Jesus  went  about  all 
Gallilec^  healing  all  manner  of  fie  knefs,  and  all  Inan- 
ner  of  difeafe  among  the  people. 

7th1y.  God  is  the  only  objeft  of  Divine  wor (hip, 
Dcu.  X.  20,  Thou Jlialt  fear  the  Lord  thy  God  ;  him 
fialt  thou  fcrve^  and  to  him  Jlialt  thou  cleave  ;  and 
fwcar  by  his  name.  It  is  written^  thoujlialt  worjhip  the 
Lord  thy  GoD^and  him  onlyjhalt  thouferve.  In  Mat- 
thew viii.  2,  we  read  concerning  Jesus,  There  came 
a  leper  and  worjhiped  him^  faying.  Lord  if  thou  ty/Jf, 
thou  canjl  make  me  clean.  Of  the  woman  of  Canaan, 
we  read,  Mat.  xv.  25,  Then  camefJie  and  worJJiipped 
hi7n^  faying.  Lord  help  me.  And  they  fioned  Stephen, 
calling  upon  and  faying.  Lord  Jefus  receive  my  fpirit. 
And  it  is  the  defcription  of  the   difciples,  them  that 

call 
*  Kphefisins  i.  7.     Coloflians  z.  14.    f  Luke  v.  20.    %  Luke  vii.  4S. 


TEACHER  AND  SCHOLAR.  267 

call  on  the  name  of  Jefus  Chrifl  our  Lord. — Well 
may  wc  with  convinced  Thomas,  fay,  My  Loiii^  and 
?nyGoD.  Thus  have  I  given  yon  fome  ii)flances, 
which  may  aflift  your  further  fearching  the  fcriptures, 
as  you  have  opportunity. 

Scholar.  When  I  think  of  the  various  pafTages 
that  have  been  produced,  which  manifefts,  that  what 
was  afcribed  to  God  in  the  Old  Teflament,  is  afcrib- 
ed  to  Jefus  Chrilt  in  the  New  j  fo  that  divine  wor- 
fliip  is  paid  to  him,  as  one  with  the  father  ;  accord- 
ing to  the  divine  will,  thai  all  nun  JJiould  honor  the 
Son,  even  as  they  honor  the  J^ather,  I  inquire,  how  are 
we  to  underftand  thefe  paflages  that  fpeak  of  Jefus 
Chrift,  as  God's  fervant,  as  fentof  God  ;  and  where- 
in he  fays,  My  Father  is  greater  than  L 

Teacher.  We  may  conceive  among  men  of  an 
equal,  voluntarily  putting  himfelf  into  the  place  of  a 
fervant,  and  being  fent  to  accomplifh  fome  particular 
bufinefs  in  which  he  that  fend*,  is  greater  than  he  that 
was  fent,  though  in  other  refpe£ls  they  were  equal. 
We  read  of  Jesus  zuho  being  in  the  form  0/  God, 
thought  it  no  robbery  to  be  equal tjith  God  ;  but  made 
himfelf  of  no  reputation,  and  took  upon  him  the  forrti 
of  a  fervant,  and  was  made  in  the  likenefs  of  mwh  ^^nd 
being  found  in  fafliion  as  a  man,  he  humbled  himfelf, 
and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the 
crofs  ;  -wherefore,  God  hath  highly  exalte^  him,  and 
given  him  a  name,  above  every  navie,  that  in  the  name 
of  ]E^\is,  every  kneejhould  bow,  in  heaven  and  in 
earth,  and  under  the  earth  ;  and  that  every  tongue 
Jhould  confefs,  that  Jefus  Chrifi  is  Lord,  to  the  glory 
of  God  the  Father. 

In,  his  taking  ournatu.r^,  and  coming  to  do  the  will 
of  God,  took  the  form  of  a  fervant,  aiid  was  capable 
of  hmxiiliation  and  exaltation. 

Scholar.  Did  not  you  ipnention  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  is  it  not  faid,  fl/  the  name  of  Jesus  every, 
knee  fliould  bow  ?  Teacher, 


*58  A  DIALOGUE  BETWEE>T 

Teacher.  I  know  we  read  it  thus ;  but  from  the 
lyiouth  of  two  or  three  witneffes,  I  have  been  inform- 
ed it  is  not  fo  in  the  firft  reading,  but  is  the  fame  word  ^ 
we  have  in  Coloffians  iii.  17,  Which  is  there  render- 
ed, w.hatfoever ye  do  in  word  or  deed^  do  all  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jefus.  God  is  manifefled  in  Chrill 
Jefus  ;  therefore,  he  is  thus  to  be  worfliipped,  thus 
be  b'elfes  his  people  with  all  fpiritual  bleflings  IxJ 
Chrift  Jefus,  and  hath  made  us  fet  together  zn  heaven- 
ly places  /A"  Chrift  Jefus.  All  the  promifes  are  IN 
him  :  Not  bccaufe  of  him,  or  for  his  fake.  The  pro- 
mife  to  Abraham,  IN  thy  feed  fhall  all  the  kindreds, 
nations  and  families  of  the  earth  be  blelfed.  The 
Ffalm  faith,  Men  Piall  he  bleJJ'ed  IN  him  :  The  pro- 
phet faith,  The  nations JJiall  hlefs  themfelves  IN  him, 
and  IN  him  piall  they  glory.  By  the  apoftlc  we  are 
faid,'^o  he  chofen  IN  him,  to  he  gathered  together  IN 
him-i  to  be  rooted  and  built  up  IN  him,  to  he  jujlijied 
IN  him,  to  be  made  the  righteoufnefs  of  God  IN  him, 
to  bejan^tified  IN  Chrijl  J  ejus,  to  be  compleat  IN  him; 
therefore  IN  the  name  of  Jefus  every  knee  fhall  bo\v, 
'  Scholar.  I  took  ijotice  when  you  faid  all  the 
promifes  of  God  are  |N  him:  You  added  not  be- 
caufe  of  him,  or  for  his  fake.  Is  it  not  laid  by  the 
apoftle,  when  exhorting  %o  forbearing  and  forgiving 
one  another,  even  as  God  for  Chrift  fake,  hath  for- 
given you  ?  What  difference  is  there  between  being 
bleffedin  him,  and  becaufe  of  him  ;  or  for  his  fake  ? 

Teacher.  As  to  the  firft  part  of  your  queftion, 
we  read  in  Ephefians  iv.  22,  Be  ye  kind  one  to  another, 
tender  hearted,  forgiving  one  another,  even  as  God 
for  Chriji  fake  hath  forgiven  you  ;  but  it  is  likewife 
faid  to  be  the  fame  word  as  the  other,  even  as  God 
IN  Chrift  hath  forgiven  you. 

Scholar.  What  difference  is  there  between  be- 
ing blelfed  IN  him,  and  becaufe  of  him  ;  or  for  his 
fake  ? 

TeacueRo 


TEACHER  AND  SCHOLAR.  isGg 

Teacher.  It  may  be  faid,  oiae  pcrfon,  a  mere 
llranger,  may  come  to  another  to  obtain  lomcthing 
for  the  fake  of  a  third  pcrfon,  who  fent  him,  and 
obtain  it,  and  be  a  ftranger  ftill.butif  a  wife,  or  a  foHj 
go  in  the  name  of  the  hufband  or  father,  there  is  un- 
ion. So  if  wc  are  blefled  IN  him,  there  is  union. 
If  we  fcek  to  be  blcffed  becaufe  of  him,  it  denotes  a 
itranger.  I  think  the  difl;in6lion  is  obvious,  though 
I  believe  it  is  not  generally  perceived,  yet  I  think  it 
deferves  to  be  fobcrly  confidered. 

Let  us  attend  to  the  fimilitude  a  litde. — A  huf^ 
band  or  fiuher  has  his  wife  or  fon  in  view  in  all  he 
does,  and  their  welfare  flows  to  them  through  him  ; 
according  to  the  nature  of  it,  the  love  and  care  is 
imceafmg  in  every  circumftance  of  ficknefs  and 
heahh,  as  long  as  the  relation  lads.  So  i§  their  con- 
fidence in  him  perpetual,  according  to  his  ability  and 
their  wants,  they  bear  his  name,  and  rife  and  fall 
with  him  :  But  let  a  firanger  come  to  the  fame  man 
with  an  order  from  another  ;  if  the  order  is  accco- 
ted,  the  fum  is  paid,  or  the  thing  delivered,  and  the 
matter  is  over,  and  they  remain  the  fame  Grangers, 
the  man  hath  no  further  care,  and  the  other  hath  no 
further  expectations.  The  above  mentioned  union 
is  fpoken  of,  jEphcfians  v.  30,  For  rve  are  members  of 
his  body,  of  his  /le/h,  and  of  his  bones  ;  and  blcffed 
be  his  name.  Jefus  told  his  difciples,  John  xiy.  20, 
At  that  day  ye  fiall  knozu  that  I  avi  in  my  father,  and 
you  in  me\  and  I  in  you. 

Scholar,  In  attending  to  the  anfwers  to  the  quef- 
tion,  What  is  God  ?  I  wifhed  to  hear  you  cxprefs 
your  thoughts  on  the  fuhjeft  of  the  various  paflages 
jn  the  New-Tertament,  in  which  mention  is  made  of 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft,  as  in  the  commiflion 
jefus  Chrift  gave  to  his  difciples,  and  in  the  fonn  of 
plefiing,  the  Apoftle  makes  ufe  of  in  his  fecond  cpif- 
tlc  to  the  Corinthians,  which  John  mentions,  iftepif- 
'  tie. 


S70  A  DIALOGUE  BETWEEN 

tie,  V.  7,  For  there  are  three  that  hear  record  in  hea- 
ven^ the  Father,  the  Word,  and  the  Holy  Ghojiy^nd 
thefe  three  ate  one. 

Teacher.  I  would  take  notice  that  three  perfons 
is  no  where  mentioned  ;  that  is  a  tradition  (perhaps 
from  the  afiembhes  catechifm,)  which  I  wifh  to  a- 
void,  but  the  icripture  expreflion  is.,  Thefe  three  are 
one. 

Scho'Iar.  That  is  the  thing  I  wifh  to  have  my 
mind  affifted  in  the  underftanding  of. 

Teacher.  James  iii.  9,  Speaks  of  men  as  made 
after  the  fimihtude  of  God.  Now  if  man  confilU 
of  body,  foul  and  fpirit,  are  not  thefe  three,  one. 
Again,  the  fame  perfon  may  at  the  fame  time  be  in 
the  relation  of  father  and  fon,  and  that  filial  refpe61;, 
that  influences  a  reverential,  fuitable  deportment  to- 
wards his  father,  may  be  fitly  called  the  fpirit  of  the 
fon,  that  fame  fpirit  manifefting  itfelf  in  the  paternal 
love  and  care  of  his  offspring,  may  fidy  be  called  the 
fpirit  of  the  father,  or  if  fpoken  of  to  his  children, 
the  fpirit  of  your  father.  The  fame  fpirit  influenc- 
ing his  general  condu61,  is  called  the  fpirit  of  the 
man  ;  as  'tis  often  faid  among  men,  I  am  fatisfied 
that  this  fpeech,  this  work,  or  this  gift,  come  from 
fuch  an  one,  'tis  the  fpirit  of  the  man.  Now  in  this 
view,  is  not  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit  one 
man  .''  Are  not  thefe  three,  one  .?  What  hath  been 
brought  to  view,  brings  to  mind  feveral  paffages,  as 
John  X.  30,  /  and  father  are  one,  John  xv.  26, 
The  comforter,  the  fpirit  of  truth  ;  which  proceedeth 
from  the  father.  Gal.  iv.  6,  God  hathfent  forth  the 
fpirit  of  his  fon  into  our  hearts.  And  in  Rom, 
viii.  9,  the  fpirit  of  God  and  the  fpirit  of  Chrijl  are 
both  mentioned  in  one  verfe. 

Scholar.  If  I  underftand  you,  when  I  read 
thefe  various  expreflions,  they  fjpeak  of  the  fame  fpi- 
rit. 

T£ACHER. 


TEACHER  AND  SCHOLAR.  Hjt 

Teacher.  Yes,  I  underftand  them  to  fpcak  of 
the  fame  fpirit,  according  to  the  various  manifefta- 
tions  of  it.  So  when  our  minds  are  contemplating 
the  charatler  of  the  one  only  living  and  true  God, 
it  muft  be  in  the  way  he  manifefts  himfelf  to  us  ; 
therefore  if  we  attend  to  the  manifeftation  of  him,  as 
Father,  Son,  or  Holy  Ghofl,  we  attend  to  the  mani- 
feftation  of  the  fame  one  God. 

Scholar.  I  would  wifh  to  have  this  matter  il- 
1  unrated  further  from  the  Old  Teflament  fcriptures  ? 

Teacher.  Have  we  not  the  three  in  one  expreff- 
ly  mentioned,  Genefis  i.  2,  And  the  fpirit  of  fhe  Lord 
moved  on  the  face  of  the  waters.  And  verfe  26,  Let 
us  make  man  in  our  image,  after  our  likenefs.  Verfe 
27,  So  God  created  man  in  his  own  tmage^  in  fki 
image  of  God  created  he  him,  male  and  female  created 
he  them. 

This  feems  likewife  to  be  expreffed  in  the  form, of 
bleffmg,  in  Numbers  vi.  24,  25,  26,  The  Lord  blefs 
thee,  and  keep  thee.  The  Lord  make  his  face  tofliinc 
upon  thee,  and  be  gracious  unto  thee.  The  Lord  lift 
his  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give  thee  peace.  Sure- 
ly the  repetition  is  not  a  vain  repetition.  Compard 
it  with  2d  of  Corinthians,  xiii.  chapter  and  14  verfe. 


The  Lord  blefs  thee  and 
keep  thee. 

The  Lord  make  his  face 
to  fliine  upon  thee,  and 
be  gracious  to  thee. 

The  Lord  lift  up  his  coun- 
tenance upon  thee,  and 
give  thee  peace. 
In  the  tirft   expreffion, 


The  love  of  God  the  Fa- 
ther. 

The  grace  of  our  Lorij 
Jesus  Christ. 

The   communion  of  the 
Holy   Ghoft,  be  with 
you  all. 
the  Lord  blefs  thee,   and 


keep  thee ;  we  are  led  to  the  love  of  God,  the  foun- 
tain of  life;  in  the  next,  the  Lord  make  his  face  to 
fhi'ne  upon  thee,  and  be  gracious  unto  thee  ;  we  are 
led  to  the  manifeftation  of  this  love  in  Ghrift  Jcfus, 
the  light  in  which  we  fee  light.  The 


I 


272  A  DIALOGUE  BETWEEN" 

The  laft  expreffion  in  the  bleffing,  the  Lord  litt 
his  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give  thee  peace ; 
leads  to  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghoft. 

This  might  be  further  illuftrated  by  attending  to 
Proverbs  viii.  22,  to  the  31ft,  Which  may  be  left  to 
your  perufal  at  your  leifure. 

Scholar.  Tho'  I  would  make  the  inquiries  withi 
reverence,  remembering  Job's  queftion,  Canji  thou 
hy  fear  thing  find  out  God  ?  Canfl  thou  find  out  the 
Almighty  to  perfeEiion  ?  And  his  aflertion,  the  AU 
wighty^  ive  cannot  Jind  him  out  ;  yet  bleffed  be  his 
name,  he  hath  manifefted  himfelf  to  us  in  Chrift  Jefus 
under  the  gofpel  :  and  it  is  thofe  manifeftations  I  am 
endeavouring  to  underfland.  As  you  have  given  a 
fimihtude  from  the  New-Teftament,  if  you  recolleQ: 
one  from  the  Old,  I  wifh  you  to  mention  it. 

Teacher.  I  wifli  to  fpeak  of  thefe  things  with 
the  higheft  reverence,  and  to  fpeak  of  nothing  but 
what  the  fcriptures  fully  warrant  ;  but  in  anfwer  to 
your  inquiry,  I  would  fay,  I  have  fomtimes  thought 
of  the  panage  in  the  xxxvi.  Pfalm,  7,  8,  9,  10,  How 
excellent  is  thy  loving  kind?iejs,  0  God  ;  thc7'efore  the 
children  of  men  put  their  trufi  under  the  JJiadoix)  of  thy 
wings.  TheyJJiall  be  abundantly  fatisfied  with  the. 
Jatncfs  of  thy  houfe  ;  and  thou  flialt  make  them  drink 
(f  the  river  of  thy  pleafure ;  for  with  thee  is  the 
FOUNTAIN  of  life.,  in  thy  light  loe  fee  light. 

If  we  (land  at  the  head  of  a  fountain  where  we  can 
find  no  bottom,  it  appears  unfearchablc  ;  but  it  is 
manifelted  to  be  a  fountain,  by  the  conftant  rivers 
and  fireams  flowing  from  it  ;  and  by  thefe  rivers  and 
dreams  there  is  a  conftant  communication  of  fertility 
to  the  adjacent  lands  ;  and  of  drink  for  the  inhabit- 
ants, their  children  and  their  catde,  wherefoever  the 
rivers  come ;  befides  the  other  advantage  from  the 
mills,  whereby  the  corn  is  prepared  for  bread,  and  in- 
Jiumerable  other  benefits,  by  the  communication  of 

the 


TEACHER  A>Ji3  SCHOLAR.  273 

the  rivers  flowing  from  the  fountain,  and  as  the  foun- 
tain is  unfearchable  and  manifefted  by  the  rivers  :  So 
if  we  follow  the  rivers  all  running  into  the  fea,  and 
returning  to  the  place  whence  tiiey  came,  we  arc  loft 
in  the  contemplation  ;  Soalfo,  ifwe  trace  the  bene- 
fits received,  or  the  communion  and  communications 
'  we  enjoy  by  the  waters,  it  will  prefcndy  carry  us  be- 
yond our  comprehenfion,  and  ifwe  are  loft  in  the 
contemplation  of  ourfelves^  and  the  things  which  we 
fee,  no  wonder  the  things  of  God  knoweth  no  man  but 
the  fpirit  of  God  ;  therefore  in  our  inquiries  after  the 
knowledge  of  him,  we  are  to  keep  dole  to  the  fcrip- 
tures,  wherein  we  have  the  mind  of  the  fpirit. 

Scholar.  I  would  wifh  to  detain  you  to  hear  of 
the  other  branch  of  the  original  queftion,  that  as  yjj^u 
have  indulged  my  inquiries  refpefting  what  we  are  to 
believe  concerning  God,  you  would  alfo  confider 
what  God  requires  of  man  ? 

Teacher.  In  general  it  may  be  faid,  that  what- 
ever we  are  to  believe  concerning  God,  fliews  our 
obligation  to  him  in  that  relation  or  manifeftation  of 
himfelf  to  us. 

Ifwe  contemplate  him  as  our  Creator,  we  are  his, 
and  confequently  to  purfue  the  chief  end  of  our  crea- 
tion^ — to  glorify  and  enjoy  him. 

If  we  confider  him  as  our  Lord  and  King,  it  binds 
us  to  every  thing  whereby  a  loyal  fubjcftion  to  him 
may  be  manifefted ;  a  contrary  conduft  muft  weaken 
our  confidence  in  his  protettion,  and  tend  to  our  un- 
happinefs. 

Ifwe  attend  to  the  manifeftation  of  himfelf  to  us 
as  our  Redeemer,  it  will  fhew  us  we  are  not  our  own, 
but  belong  to  our  Lord,  Redeemer  ;  being  bought 
with  a  price,  we  are  to^  glorify  him  in  our  fpirit  and 
body,  which  are  his.  Our  obligations  hereto  will 
rife  as  we  are  acquainted  with  the  price  of  our  re- 
demption. Forafmuch  as  we  were  not  redeemed  with 
M  m  corruptctU 


274  A  DIALOGUE  BETWEEN? 

corruptible  things  asfilver  andgold-,  hut  with  thepreC* 
ions  blood  of  Chri/l,  as  of  a  lamb  without  bUmiJh  and 
luithout  fpot. 

His  condefcending  to  call  himfelf  our  *  hufl>and, 
binds  finglenels  towards  hinij  which  increafes  our  hap- 
pinefs  ill  him. 

His  relation  to  us  as  a  father  claims  our  honour, 
filial  affeBion,  and  obedient  behaviour,  particularly 
it  brings  to  mind  the  exhortation,  Love  your  enemies, 
hlejs  thtin  that  curje yoii^  do  good  to  them  that  hateyeuy 
and  pray  for.  them  that  defpitefully  ife  and  perfecute 
you.  That  you  may  be  the  children  of  your  Father^ 
which  is  in  heaven  ;  for  he  maketh  his  fun  to  rife  on 
the  evil,  and  on  the  good  ;  and  fendeth  rain  on  thejufi 
an4-on  the  unjufl,  that  you  may  be  children  of  your 
Father  ;  they  were  io,  but  this  is  to  a6t  in  charafter 
as  fuch. 

If  we  confider  God  is  love,  we  lovfe  him  ;  becaufe 
he  firft  loved  us,  and  'tis  his  direQion  that  we  love  one 
another,  as  he  hath  loved  us. 

Ifwe  attend  to  hischarafter  as  the  God  of  peace, 
}t  will  lead  us  to  follow  peace  with  all  men. 
^  Or  as  the  God  of  all  grace  j  his  grace  which  hath 
appeared,  bringing  falvation  to  all  men  ;  teaches  to 
denyungodlinefs,  and  worldly  lufls  ;  and  to  live  fob erly, 
righteoufly,  and  godly  in  the  world. 

Scholar.  The  remarksyou  have  made,  feem  to  arife 
very  naturally  from  the  characters  mentioned  ;  but  I 
was  ready  toexpeft  fomething  particularly  from  the 
fcriptures. 

Teacher.  This  would  lead  to  another  general 
view  of  the  fubftance  of  the  epiftles,  of  the  apoftles  ; 
in  the  former  part  of  them  they  treat  of  the  grace  of 
God  made  manifeft  in  Chrift  Jefus :  Then  of  the  du- 
ty of  the  difciples  confequent  thereon.  Therefore 
for  that  which  is  particularly  enjoined  upon  us,  I  re- 
fer 
•  Sec  sd  Corinthians,  xi.  2,  3. 


TEACHER  AND  SCHOLAR.  JS75 

fer  you  to  the  application  of  the  epiftles  of  the  apoU 
ties,  of  the  Lord  and  Saviour.  I.  havi:^  alrcad){ 
mentioned  the  direction  of  Jefus  Chrift,  to  !ove  our 
enemies,  blcfs  them  that  curfe  us,  and  pray  for  them 
that  defpitefuliy  ufe  us,  to  which  I  would  add  that 
cpmprehenfivc  dirc6tion  :  Therefore,  all  things  what- 
fotvcr  ye  would  tjiat  mcn/Jiould  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  the 
fame  to  them  ;  for  this  is  the  law  and  the pro-phets. 

ScHOLAi^.  It  may  be  of  fervice  to  me  to  have 
thofe  parts  of  the  epiftles  of  the  apoRles,  that  you 
mentioned,  pointed  to,  that  I  may  turn  to  them  with 
greater  readinefs,  when  my  jiiind  is  inquiring,  what 
doth  God  require  of  man  ? 

Teacher.  You  will  eafily  fee  in  reading  them, 
over  ;  but  for  your  prefent  afliftance  you  may  take; 
for  one  leffon,  or  for  your  entertainment  at  one  timely 
the  xii  and  xiii  chapters  of  the  epiftle  to  the  Romans, 
and  attend  to  what  we  are  called  too,  as  members  of 
the  one  body,  of  which  Chrift  is  the  head,  according; 
to  the  place  in  which  \fe  are  fet  by  the  various  gifts- 
beftowed  upon  us  without  flothfulnefs,  being  fervent 
in  fpirit,  fcrving  the  Lord  :  And  to  fee  that  ve  be  not 
overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with  good- — what- 
ever abufe  we  may  meet  with  in  the~  world.  And 
that  we  live  in  a  quiet  fubjeftion  to  the  government 
that  God  in  his  providence  has  placed  over, us,  and 
render  to  all  their  dues,  attending  to  that  love  which' 
comprehends  every  commandment,  worketh  no  ill  to 
his  neighbour,  and  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law.  ' 

Scholar.  As  you  mentioned  fubjeQion  to  go* 
gernment  in  this  pafTage,  I  wifli  to  have  you  a  little 
more  particular  on  this  head,  if  I  ftiould  not  take  up 
too  much  of  your  time. 

Teacher.  Civil  government  derives  its  honour- 
able origin  both  from  Divine  and  human  authority,  as 
we  fee  by  comparing  Romans  xiii.  i,  with  ift  of  Peter, 
ii.  13,  it  is  faid  in  one  to  be  ordained  of  Godj  and  in 
the  other  it  is  called  the  ordinance  of  man,  The 


ti6         A  DIALOGUE  BETWEEN 

The  blefling  of  good  government  is  the  grcat^ftof 
all  temporal  bleflingSjNvithout  it  no  outward  privilege, 
nor  even  life  itfelf  can  be  enjoyed  with  any  fecurity  ; 
and  as  it  is  fo  extenfive  and  univerfal  a   bleffing,   it 
carries,  in  its  own  nature,  univerfal  obligation  to  hon- 
our civil  rulers,  and  to  pay  a  ready  and  chearful  obe- 
dience to  the  wholefome  laws  that  are  eftablifhed  for 
the  welfare  of  the  whole  pditical  body.   As  this  fenti- 
ment  muft  approve  itfelf  to  every  one's  confcience,  he 
that  refifteth  muft  receive  to  himfelf  condemnation  ir\ 
the  very  nature  of  it,  as  well  as  by  the  law  of  God  ; 
but  as  profefling  chriftians,  we  arc   bound  to  be  fub-. 
je6lfor  confcience  fake.  In  theabove  rnentionedRom. 
xiii.  ift  of  Peter, ii. from  the  13th  to  the  i8th,and  Titus 
iii.  1,  we  have  the  exhortations  of  the  apoftles  of  Jefus 
Chrift,  upon  this  fubjeft,  to  which  every  one  that  calls 
Jefus,  Lord,  would  do  well  to  take  heed ;  And  a  lit- 
tle attention  to  the  connexion  that  thefe  exhortations 
ftand  in  to  the  grace  of  the  gofpel  :  The  grace   that 
brings  falvation  to  all  men,  will    fhew  the'  indifput- 
able,indtfpenfible  obligations  of  Chrift's  difciples  here- 
unto ;  fo  that  civil  government  cannot  be  knowingly 
refifted  by  them,   without  refifting    an  ordinance  of 
God  ;  without  flighting  the  authority  of  Jefus  Chrift, 
and  a6ling  counter  to  the  obligations  his  grace   lays  " 
on   them,  and  confequently  receiving  to  themfelves 
felf-condemnation. 

Scholar.     Pleafe  to  proceed  to  the  other  paffages 
you  would  turn  me  to. 

Teacher.  For  another ppportunity  you  may  turn 
to  the  epiftle  to  the  Ephefians,  from  the  2 2d  verfe  of 
the  fourth  chapter,  to  the  eighteenth  verfe  of  the 
fixth  chapter.  And  at  another  time  take  Colof- 
fians  iii,  from  the  beginning,  to  the  end  of  the  6th  verfe 
of  chapter  iv  ;  with  ift  of  Peter,  iii,  from  the  begin- 
ning to  the  end  of  13th  verfe.  Your  attention  at 
another  time  may  be  profitably  drawn  to  ift  Thefla- 
loniansj  iv,  from  the  beginning,  to  the  end  of  the  12th 

verfe^ 


TEACHER  AND  SCHOLAR.  277 

veiTe,  and  then  to  the  5th  chap,  from  the  15th  verfe, 
to  the  end  of  the  22d,  and  2d  epiftle,  3d  chap,  from 
the  7th  to  the  end  of  the  12th  verfe. 

Scholar.  I  am  obliged  by  your  thus  turning  me 
to  thofe  palfages,  and  purpofc  as  I  have  opportunity 
to  attend  to  them. 

TiiACHER.  In  the  above  mentioned  paffages  we 
have  cautions  againft  every  hurtful  vice  and  exhorta- 
tions, to  a  conduft  and  converfation  becoming  the 
gofpel,  in  following  every  thing  virtuous,  praife  wor- 
thy, and  of  good  report,  in  the  fevcral  relations  we 
fuftain,  as  huftjajids  or  wives,  parents  or  children,  maf- 
ters  or  fervants,  in  a  diligent  attention  to  the  bufi- 
nefs  to  which  we  are  called,  that  we  may  walk  honeft- 
ly,  eat  our  own  bread,  and  have  to  give  to  him  that 
needeth,  all  built  upon,  connected  with,  or  flowing 
fiom  the  grace  of  the  gofpel,  the  grace  that  reigns 
through  righteoufnefs  to  eternal  life  by  Jefus  Chrift  ; 
in  attending  to  them,  you  take  your  dire6lion  plainly 
from  the  authority  of  the  fcriptures,  not  from  the  tra- 
ditions of  men  ;  and  I  would  add  that  I  would  not 
have  my  filcnce  about  the  epiftles  that  have  not  been 
mentioned,  efteemed  as  negle6t  ;  they  have  been 
palled  over  only  for  brevity's  fake,  therefore,  as  the 
fcriptures  principally  teach  what  man  is  to  believe 
concerning  God,  and  what  God  requires  of  man;  let 
them  dwell  in  you  richly,  be  your  ftudy  and  your 
guide,  and  may  the  Divine  Teacher  lead  your  mind 
to  the  underilanding  of  them,  that  you  may  grow  in  ac- 
quaintance with  the  grace  therein  revealed,  even  in 
the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift, 
jtO  him  be  glory,  both  now  and  forever, 

AMEN. 

APPENDIX, 


>P«i 


APPENDIX, 


X  H  E  ftudy  of  the  Scriptures  having  been  re^- 
commended,  it  may  not  be  amils  to  mention  one  mo- 
tive in  particular  to  fearch  them  ;  that  deferves  our 
moft  ferious  attention,  contained  in  the  exhortation 
v/e  have  in  Job  xxii.  21,  Ac^uaini  now  thyftlf  with 
him-iand  be  at  peace^  thereby  good  JJiall  come  unto  thee. 
If  we  take  notice  of  the  charafter  to  whom  this  ex- 
hortation is  given  in  the  foregoing  part  of  the  chap- 
ter, verfes  5,  6,  7,  9,  10,  11  and  13,  to  whom  he 
brings  to  view  as  a  warning,  the  old  way  which  wick- 
ed  men  have  trodden,  which  were  cut  down  out  of 
time,  whofe  foundation  was  overflown  with  a  flood, 
"we  fliall  find  it  a  finful,  diftrefled  chara6ler;  yet  even 
to  fuch  a  chara6ter  acquaintance  with  Gqd  is  able  to 
give  peace,  becaufe  God  was  in^  Chriji^  reconciling  the 
zuorld  unto  himjelf^  noi  imputing  their  trefpajfes  unto- 
them. 

Among  men,  if  any  perfon  is  propofed  or  introdu^ 
ced  to  us  for  an  acquaintance,  we  are  defirous  firft  to 
know  his  name,  then  his  charafter,  and  on  knowing 
his  chara6ler,  if  it  ftrike  our  minds  agreeable,  we 
wifh  to  know  his  thoughts; 

Well  then,  if  we  wifh  to  comply  with  the  above  di- 
re6lion  as  an  external  meansof  our  acquaintance  with 
God,  let  us  fearch  the  fcriptures,  where  we  may  fincj' 
his  name^  his  chara6ler,  and  his  thoughts. 

If  it  fhould  pleafe  him  who  caufed  the  light  to 
fliine  out  of  darknefs  in  the  firft  creation,  to  ftiine  in- 
to our  hearts,  to  give  us  the  light  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jefus  Chrift,  we 
Ihall  be  at  peace. 

When 


APPENDIX.  272^ 

When  Mofes  fpeaks  of  him,  he  calls  him  the  rock^ 
his  work  is  pcrfc6i,/or  all  his  ways  are  judgment^  d, 
God  of  truth,  and  without  iniquity.  Jujl  and  righte^ 
ous  is  he ;  but  we  need  not  look  for  his  charaQer  dif- 
tinft  from  his  name,  as  we  do  among  men,  where  the 
name  only  ferves  to  diftinguifli  the  perfon,  and  doth 
not  communicate  the  character,  but  the  name  of  which 
we  f'peak  in  the  various  expreflions  of  it,  which  we 
find  in  fcripture,  always  conveys  his  character ;  for 
inftance,  if  we  fiiould  attend  to  the  name  father,  fa 
often  made  ufe  of  in  the  fcripture,  we  fliould  find 
every  thing  fignified  by  that  name  in  its  perfeQion 
in  him. 

It  is  a  name  that  conveys  an  indiffolvable  relation  : 
Even  among  men,  there  is  no  prodigality  or  enormi- 
ty that  a  fon  can  commit,  that  can  diffolve  the  rela- 
tion ;  and  I  fuppofe  it  fcarce  poffible  to  find  among 
earthly  parents  that  are  evil,  an  inftance  of  one  that 
would  not  wifli  with  all  his  heart  for  the  reformation 
of  his  moft  profligate  fon  ;  in  moft  cafes  parental  af- 
fections work  moft  ftrongly  towards  fuch  a  one,  and 
are  often  exprelfed  in  ardent  prayer  to  the  father  of 
mercies,  and  in  application  to  fuch  friends  as  might 
be  fuppofed  to  have  influence  over  fuch  a  one,  for 
his  reformation ;  and  finally,  it  muft  be  for  want  of 
wifdom,  or  power  in  the  parent,  if  k  is  not  accom- 
pliflied;  yet  after  all  the  parent  is  obliged  to  own  and 
notice  this  fon,  or  it  will  break  his  will. in  other  in- 
ftances. 

But  all  this  parental  afFe8ion  is  but  a  ft  ream  from 
the  fountain;  if  ye  then  thai  are  evil  know  /ww  to  give 
good  gifts  to  your  children,  how  much  more  shall 

YOUR   HEAVENLY    FATHER. 

But  hath  it  pleafed  God  thus  to  reveal  himfelf  in 
the  fcriptures  ?  Yes ;  verily  have  we  not  all  one  faf ken 
hath  not  one  God  createdus,  Malachi  ii.  lO.  Thus  faith 
Lord,  Ifrael  is  my  fon.  Exodus  iv.  22,  For  lam  a  fa- 
ther 


a8o        A   p   ip   E   N   b   i   x". 

therto  Jfrael^  and  Ephraim  is  my  firjl  horn^  JcrcmilH 
Xxxi.  9,  Is  he  the  God  of  the  Jews  only,  p.nd  not  of 
the  Gentiles  ?  Yes,  of  the  Gentiles  alfo;  the  Apoftle 
cf  the  Gentiles  thus  fpeaks  of  and  to  them,  For  this 
caufe  I  bow  my  knees  to  the  father  0/  our  Lord  jfcfuS 
Chrijl,  of  whom  the  whole  family  in  heaven  and  earth 
is  named^  one  God  and  Father  of  all^  who  is  above  all, 
and  through  ally  and  inyouall,  Ephefians  iii.  14,  15, 
and  iv.  6,  If  fo,  then  both  Jew  and  Gentile  are  in  an 
indiflblvable  relation  to  him,  for  we  are  all  his  oft- 
fpring. 

But  have  not  both  Jew  and  Gentile  been  fo  cap- 
tivated by  fatan,  and  alienated  from  God,  as  to  be 
denominated  the  children  of  the  devil,  who  led  them 
captive  at  his  will,  and  ufurped  dpminion  over  them  ? 
Undoubtedly ;  but  this,  notwithftanding  they  belong 
to  their  Father,  who  is  their  Redeemer,  in  Ifaiah  Ixiii. 
16,  Father  and  Redeemer  are  united,  our  Father^ 
our  Redeemer,  thy  name  from  everlafting.  O  the 
grace  that  appears  in  this  name  to  the  captivated 
children  of  men  !  how  agreeable  to  hear  the  repeti- 
tion of  it  eleven  times  in  the  prophecy  of  Ifaiah,  as 
well  as  in  other  parts  of  fcripture  !  how  cheering  tQ 
captives  to  hear  of  a  Redeemer ;  is  there  one  that  is 
able  to  accomplifli  it  ?  Yes  ;  as  for  our  Redeemer, 
the  Lord  of  hofls  is  his  name ;  but  who  knows  it  ? 
Read  Ifaiah  Ix.  16,  thouJJialt  know  that  I  the  Lord 
am  thy  Saviour  and  thy  Redeemer^  the  mighty  one  of 
Jacobs  and  not  only  thou,  but  as  it  is  expreffed,  Chap< 
xlix.  29,  All  flefli  Jhall  know  that  I  the  Lord  am  thy 
Saviour  and  thy  Redeemer.  Surely  acquaintance 
with  his  name  tends  to  peace. 

Among  men  the  redemption  price  may  be  paid  for 
a  captive,  and  fomething  may  take  place  to  prevent 
falvation  from  captivity  ;  but  here  Saviour  and  Re- 
deemer are  united  in  the  Lord ;  the  Lord  of  hofls, 
the  mighty  one  of  Jacob,  the  Lord  thy  Redeemer, 

the  ' 


APPENDIX  281 

tlic  holy  one  of  Ifrael  ;  fo  that  falvation  and  redemp- 
tion comes  in  a  fure  connexion  in  confiftence  with 
perfe6l  holinefs,  agreeable  to  Zechariah  ix.  9,  He  is 
jujl,  and  having  falvation^  and  to  Ifaiah  xlv.  21,  I  the 
Lord~^nd  no  God  elfe  befide  we,  a  jufi  God,  and  a 
Saviour,  there  is  none  hefide  me.  If  there  is  no  God 
befide  the  juft  God  and  the  Saviour,  there  is  falva- 
tion in  his  name  ;  and  to  know  the  only  living  and 
true  God  in  Jefus  Chrift,  is  life  eternal;  the  kaowledge 
of  God  is  the  knowledge  of  the  Redeemer  and  Savi- 
our; the  jull  God  and  Saviour,  therefore  the-  fure 
hope  of  eternal  life,  or  the  beginning  of  life  eternal, 
is  thereby  conveyed  to  the  mind,  therefore  acquain- 
tance with  God  is  the  way  of  peace,  and  this  would 
be  evidence  from  every  manifeftation  of  himfelf  in 
thefcripturesoftruth:  If  we  turn  our  mind  to  what  Mo- 
feswas  dirededto  (ay  to  the  childrenof  Ifrael  in  Egypt, 
/  avi  the  God  of  Abraham,  of  Ifaac  and  of  Jacob  ; 
this  is  my  name  forever,  and!  my  memorial  through 
all  generations.  It  brings  to  view  the  gofpel  preach- 
ed to  them,  that  in  thy  feed,  which  is  Chrift,  Shall  all 
the  nations,  kindreds  and  families  of  the  sarth  he  blefs- 
id.  It  will  correfpond  with  Ifaiah  liv.  5,  The  God 
of  the  -whole  earth  Jli all  he  be  called.  Thus  acquain- 
tance with  his  name  is  acquaintance  with  his  charac- 
ter and  his  thoughts.  The  prophet  Jeremiah,  chap. 
ix.  11,  was  direfted  to  tell  the  captives  in  Babylon,  / 
know  the  thoughts  that  I  think  towards  you,  thoughts 
of  peace  and  not  of  evil.  Surely  his  chara8:er  and  his 
name  of  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  gives  ground  of 
hope,  that  thefe  are  his  thoughts  refpefting  every  of 
the  captived  children  of  men,  whom  fatan  hath  led 
captive  at  his  will  :  For,  thus  faith  the  Lord,  the  cap- 
tives of  the  mighty Jhall  be  taken  away,  and  the  prey  of 
the  terrible  piall  be  delivered. 

The  foregoing  hints  may.  fcrve  to  open  a   fubjeSt 

to  contemplation,  that  will   nevpr  ciofe   :   but   theie 

N  n  hints 


282  APPENDIX 

hints  may  lead  our,  minds  to  the  further  ftiidy  of  his 
name,  in  the  various  manifeftations  of  it,  exprelfed  in 
the  fcripture  ;  forever  blefTed  be  his  name,  he  hath 
manifefted  himfelf  to  us  therein. 

If  the  ftudy  of  his  name  is  accompanied  with  the 
illumination  the  difciples  were  favoured  with,  when 
he  opened  their  underflandings,  that  they  might  un- 
derfland  the  fcriptures,  it  will  open  up  the  plain  mean- 
ing of  fuch  paffages,  as  fliew  the  name  of  the  Lord,  a 
flrong  tower,  to  which  the  righteous  run  and  are  fafe. 
They  tl^at  know  thy  name,  will  trujl  in  thee  ;  in  his 
name  JJiall  the  Gentiles  tru/i.  The  Gentiles,  thofe 
who  were  accounted  far  off,  fmners  of  the  Gentiles, 
the  moft  deftitute  in  themfelves,  in  all  parts  of  the 
earth,  the  north  and  the  fouth,  which  he  has  created, 
Tabor  and  Hermon,  (eaft  and  weft)  Jhall  rejpice  in 
iky  name.  Thus  will  the  ground  of  thofe  exhorta- 
tions be  underftood,  which  dire6t,  To  rejoice  ever 
more,  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord  always,  and  again  to  re- 
joice,and  the  poor  among  men,/liall  rejoice  in  the  Holy 
One  of  Ifrael,  who  remembered  us  in  our  low  ejlatc^ 
for  his  mercy  forever. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


As  the  foregoing  Dialogue  witli  the  Appendix,  is  defigned  for  the 
benefit  of  young  men,  it  may  not  be  amifs  to  mention  a  little 
piece,  called  the  History  of  the  Mother  and  Child,  calculated 
for  the  entertainment  and  inftruftion  of  young  Children,  which  may 
be  had  at  the  places  where  this  book  is  fold— Price  s  Cents. 


SECTION 


SECTION       IX. 


Introduftion. 


L  HE  Pfalms,  or  book  of  Praifes,  are  like  a 
treafure  locked  up,  which  cannot  be  Teen  without  the 
key,  to  open  that  wherein  the  riches  is  contained  : 
However,  we  may  admire  the  external  ornamenls  of 
the  covering. 

While  we  view  them  as  teflifying  of  good  men,  we 
are  blundering^  after  creature  righteoufnefs,  wifhing 
we  could  come  to  their  attainments,  that  we  could 
fay  as  good  David  did  in  many  of  the  expreffions  of 
uprightnefs,  iincerity  and  love  to  the  divine  precepts, 
which  are  found  in  the  Pfalms  ;  then  we  were  ready 
to  imagine  we  fhould  have  hope.  Sec. 

Whereas,  if  we  view  David's  character  as  a  man,  we 
fhall  find  it  juftly  fummed  up  by  himfelf  in  three 
words,  I  have  Jinned,  and  his  hope  could  only  be 
found  in  the  gofpel  preached  to  him  by  the  prophet 
Nathan,  The  Lord  hath  put  axmy  thy  Jin — thou  JJiall 
not  die.  With  an  eye  to  the  fame  all-fufficient  and 
exclufive  ground  of  hope,  contained  in  the  appear- 
ing of  Jcfus  Chrift  to  put  away  fin  by  the  facrifice  of 
himfelf. 

But  when  it  is  given  us  to  underftand  the  expref- 
fions of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  to  his  difciples,  when 
he  difcourfed  with  them  of  the  Pfalms,  concerning 
me,  and  of  the  Apoftle,  A6ls  ii.  25,  "for  David  fpcak- 
cth  concerning  him,"  verfe  31,  "he  feeing  this  before, 
fpake  of  the  refurreftion  of  Chrift,  that  his  foul  was 
not  left  in  hell,  neither  did  his  flefli  fee  corruption." 
We  arc  helped  to  the  key  according  to  the  Apoftle, 
vhen  it  fiiall  turn  to  the  Lord,  the  vale  fiiall  be  fha- 

ken 


284  I  NTRODU  CTI  ON. 

'  ken  away ;  then  the  expreffions  of  fincerity,  upright- 
nefs  and  love  to  the  divine  precepts,  appear  to  be  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jefus  :  Who  being  our  head,  is  made 
to  us  of  God's  wifdom,  righteoufnefs,  fan£tification, 
and  redemption  :  And  our  compleatnefs  is  in  him, 
then  fhall  we  abundantly  utter  the  memory  of  thy  great 
goodncfs^and  Jing  of  thy  righteoufnefs  which  wiH 
caufe  us  to  ceafe  from  man,  from  any  pretence  to,  or 
hope  in  creature  righteoufnefs. 

The  firft  Pfalm  fpeaks  of  Jefus  as  the  bleffed  man, 
and  points  out  his  perfect  chara6ler,  which  cannot  be 
affumed  by,  or  applied  to,  any  other.  When  this 
bleffed  one  appeared  in  the  world,  bringing  grace 
and  falvation  to  men,  we  have  the  heathen,  and  the 
people,  Jews  and  Gentiles  raging,  imagining  a  vain 
thing,  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  their  rulers  taking 
counfel  againft  the  Lord,  as  recorded  in  the  2d 
Pfalm,  and  in  the  3d  Pfalm,  the  many,  the  increaf- 
ing  multitude  rifing  up  againft  him,  with  how  great 
propriety  is  the  8th  verfe  ufliered  in,  falvation  to  the 
Lord,  thy  blefling  upon  thy  people  ;  furely  Jew  an4 
Gentiles,  Kings  and  Rulers,  with  the  increafing  rnul- 
titude  muftjoin  in  not  unto  us ;  not  unto  us,  but^ 
to  thy  namci  give  glory,  for  thy  mercy  and  tmlh's 
fake. 

To  this  mercy  and  truth  manifefted  in  Chrift  Jefus 
as  the  center  of  all  our  hopes,  the  fubjeft  of  all  our 
fongs,  the  Hyrhns,  and  Spiritual  Songs,  are  attempts 
ed  to  be  direfted  in  plain  fcriptural  languages,  which 
is  efteemed  to  excel  poetical  elegance,  as  tending 
more  to  edification,  by  bringing  to  view  the  holy 
fcriptures,  which  are  able  to  make  wife  to  falvation, 
through  faith  which  is  in  Chrift  Jefus. 

Afmall 


A  fmall  Colleftion  of  Psalms,  Hymns, 
and  Spiritual  Songs. 


The  connexion  of  the  Jirjl  andfecond  PSALMS, 
I. 

X  HE  bleflrednefs  of  the  man, 
'    Of  which  the  pfalms  relate, 
Employ  with  joy,  my  mind  and  pen, 
They  are  exceeding  great. 

n.  . 

Behold  this  ever  bleflfed  man, 

Who  never  walketh  in 
Ungodly  counfcl,  nor  will  ftand 

With  thofe  who  live  in  fm. 
III. 
Nor  can  we  fee  him  while  we  fit 

With  pride,  in  fcorner's  chair  ; 
This  fpotlefs  character  cannot 

Appear  as  fitting  there, 
IV. 
For  in  the  perfe6tlaw  of  God, 

He  plac'd  his  whole  delight. 
Attending  to  it  conftantly, 

Both  in  the  day  and  night. 
V. 
'Tis  he  the  precious  tender  plant, 

Of  which  Ifaiah  fhew, 
The  righteous  branch,  plant  of  renown. 

The  Prophets  had  in  view. 
VI. 
He's  like  a  tree  that  planted  is 

By  rivers  fertile  fides, 
That  in  his  feafon  yields  his  fruit, 

And^ever  green  abides,  VII. 


a86        PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS, 

VII. 

Profperity  on  him  attends, 

Whatever  he  commands. 
The  pleafure  of  Jehovah  fliall 

Still  profper  in  his  hands.* 
VIII. 
Not  fo  the  ungodly,  no,  his  hope 

Shall  never  with  him  ftay  ; 
But  like  the  chaff  before  the  wind. 

Be  driven  clean  away. 
IX. 
He  therefore  in  the  judgment  fiiall 

Unable  be  to  (land. 
Nor  in  the  aflembly  of  the  juil, 

The  finners  of  the  land. 
X. 
Becaufe  the  Lord,  the  righteous  w^ay 

With  approbation  knows, 
While  the  ungodly  in  his  way, 

He  wholly  overthrows. 


W^ 


Thefecond  PSALM. 
L 


HY  ?  When  this  bleffed  man  appears, 
In  perfe£l  purity, 
Who  has  profperity  infur'd. 

Why  rage  the  heathen  ?  Why  ? 

n. 

The  people  too,  a  vain  thing  think, 

Tho'  prince  and  rulers  join, 
And  fet  themfelves  againft  the  Lord, 

Againfl;  his  Christ  combine. 

IIL 

*    Ifaiah  liii.  lo. 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS.        fiS; 

III. 
Their  bands,  in  union  caft  on  us, 

Forbiding  us  to  teach, 
And  ftraitway  charging  in  that  name, 

We  never  more  (hould  preach. 

IV. 
Lets'  break  by  faying  unto  them. 

Judge  ye  if  that  we  may, 
Adhere  to  you,  more  than  to  God, 

Thus  caft  their  cords  away.* 

V. 
He  that  in  Heaven  fits  fliall  laugli, 

At  all  the  fons  of  pride. 
That  thus  combine  againft  his  Christ, 

The  Lord  fliall  them  deride. 

VL 

In  his  difplcafure  and  his  wrath. 

He  then  to  them  will  fpeak, 
What  muft  them  vex,  while  they  oppofe  ; 

His  will  they  cannot  break. 

VIL 

Yet  tho'  you  plot  and  rage  'tis  vain, 

I've  fet  my  King  upon, 
Zion  my  hill  of  holinefs. 

He  'ftablifh'd  is  thereon. 

VIII. 
Jesus  the  firm  decree  declares, 
The  Lord  hath  faid  to  me. 

Thou 

*  In  the  fecond  Pfalm,  the  wordy^jzni^  at  the  endof  the  fecond 
verfe,  that  appears  fupplied  by  the  Traiiflators,  feems  to  make  the 
third  verfe  the  langua<fc  of  thofe  that  take  counfel  againft  the  Lord  ; 
but  is  there  not  ground  to  confider  the  third  verfe  as  the  languaoe  of 
the  Lord's  people,  when  the  very  perfons  fpoken  of  in  the  Pfalni 
charged  them,  not  to /peak  at  all,  nor  teach  in  the  name  ofjefus  ?  They 
break  their  bands  by  faying,  fFhether  it  be  right  in  the  Jight  of  God  to 
hearken  unto  you  more  than  unto  God,  judge  ye,  for  ive  cannot  but  fpeak 
the  things  nuhich  ive  haue  heard  and  feen  ;  nue  ought  to  obey  God  raih;r 
than  man  ;  Afts  iv.  17,  18,  19,  lO-^zs,  a6,  27,  and  ciiap,  v.  39. 


288         PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SOKGB. 

Thou  art  m)'  Son,  this  very  day 
I  have  begotten  thee.* 

IX. 

Afk  of  me  thine  inheritance. 

The  heathen  I  ■will  give, 
Pofleffion  thine's  the  utmoft  parts. 

Of  earth  where  men  do  live. 

X. 
Their  oppofition  (hall  be  broke> 

As  with  an  iron  fod, 
And  dafli'd  as  Potter's  velTel  is, 

That  under  foot  is  trt)d. 

XL 

Now  therefore,  O  ye  kings  be  wife. 

Princes  inftruftion  gain, 
Serve  him  with  fear,  and  trembling  joy. 

For  s  mercies  yet  remain. 

XIL 

You  perifh  by  his  anger  fare, 

In  keeping  your  own  way, 
Then  kifs  the  Son,  for  blelfed  are 

All  who  upon  him  ftay. 

Pfalm 

*  Jesus  Christ  through  his  whole  life,  particularly  in  his  pub- 
lick  miniftry,  claimed  the  charaiSler  that  is  declared  in  this 
feventh  verle  of  the  fecond  Pfahn,  agreeable  to  the  truth  he  heard 
of  God  at  hisbaptifm,  and  fupported  his  claim  by  the  works  he  did 
inhii  Father's  name,  which  bear  witnefs  of  him.  He  was  charged 
with  blafphemy,  becaufe  he  faid,  I  am  the/on  of  God,  making  himfelf 
equal  with  God  ;  tiie  decifion  of  the  controverfy  was  put  on  his  re- 
fitrreftion  from  the  dead,  by  which,  as  faitli  the  Apoftio,  Rom.  i.  4. 
jHs  is  determined  the  Son  of  Gody  ivith  fo-iver  according  to  the  fpirit  bf 
holimfs.  So  the  Apoftle,  when  treating  of  the  refurreftion  of  Jesus- 
Christ,  A<5ls  xiii.  30  to  the  33d,  fays,  but  God  raifcd  him  from  the 
deady  and  be  luasfeen  many  days  of  them  'tuhich  came  up  luitb  him  from 
Gallilee  to  Jerufalem,  TwAo  «rf /»/V  at>i/«<'_^/  unto  the  people,  and  lue 
declare  untoyou  slad tidines,  hoiv  that  the  promife  that  nuas  made  untt 
the  fathers,  God  hath  f ulfif led  in  that  he  hath  raifed  Jejus  again,  as  it  is 
alfo  written  in  the  20  Pfalm,  Thou  art  my  Son,  this  day  hanje  I  begotten 
thee',  fhewing  it  referred  to  the  day  oF  his  refurreStion,  whea  the 
controverfy  is  determined,  aiid  tlic  decree  declared. 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS.       289 


H 


PSALM     LXXXVn  .♦ 
I. 


IS  foundation  for  his  church 
Immovably  is  laid, 
In  holy  mountains,  where  it  Hands, 
Securely  ever  (laid. 
II. 
The  Lord  the  gates  of  Zion  loves, 

Tho'  barr'd  to  human  pride, 
To  Jesus,  and  through  him  to  his 
Are  ever  open  wide.. 
III. 
Not  Jacob's  dwellings  ever  can 

Be  fo  divinely  fair. 
As  to  produce  a  chara6ler, 

That  claims  admittance  there.  IV. 

*  This  87th  Pfalm  appears  to  be  a  prophetic  defcription  of  the  gath- 
ering all  things  into  one  in  Chrift  Jelus,  under  the  metaphorof  a  city, 
which  is  God's  building,  taking  notice  firft  of  the  fecurity  of  the  foun- 
dation, as  fixed  in  the  holy  mountains.  Jefus,  the  foundation  of  the 
church,  is  the  holy  one  :  Then  of  the  "ates,  which  the  Lord  loves 
more  than  all  the  dwellings  of  Jacob;  by  the  gate,  the  way, the  door, 
we  underftand  the  entrance.  Thus  Jefus  is  the  way,  Jefus  is  the 
door.and  faith,  by  me,  if  anymsn  enter  in, he  fliall  be  laved.  The  en- 
trance into  this  city,  being  Jekis,  in  whom  the  father  is  well  pleafed  ; 
Jefus,  his  beloved  Son,  in  whom  we  are  accepted,  he  having  made  us 
accepted  in  the  beloved,  the  dwellings  of  Jacob  cannot  procure  a  cha- 
racter that  can  be  accepted  out  of  Jiim. 

Then  the  prophetic  defcription  goes  on,  taking  notice  of  the  glori- 
ous things  fpokcn  of  the  city  oi  God.  Thefe  are  fo  great,  that  the 
mention  of  them  is  ready  to  dagger  the  faith  even  of  thofe  that  know 
him,  to  whom  he  condeicends  to  make  mention  of  Rahab  and  Baby- 
lon. Rahab,  or  Egypt,  where  the  children  of  lirael  weie  i n  bondage 
400  years,  had  their  deliverance,  the  fame  day  that  had  been  before 
appointed;  and  thus  was  likewifc  accompliflied  their  return  from^a- 
bylon  after  a  captivity  of  70  years,  according  to  the  promife  of  God 
by  Jeremiah,  Chap.  xxix.  lo. 

Behold  Phjrliftia  and  Tyre,  v.-itb  Ethiopia.  This  was  born  there. 
Wlien  we  objeft  to  the  f;:lvation  of  the  heathen,  becaufe  they  know 
not  God,  we  lofe  figlu  of  the  Gofpel  preached  to  Abraham,  and  even 
forget  that  God  knows  them. 

But  thofe  things  that  appear  as  hindrances,  or  thofe  places  that  ap- 
peared as  enemies,  are  Ihcv/n  to  be  the  places  where  this  is  born  tO 
view,  which  was  to  be  more  particularly  underftood  in  Zion,  where 
this  and  that  man,  reputed  eneniies  and  fnends,  Jew  and  Gentile  were 
united  as  one.  Born  to  view  as  one  new  man  in  Chrill,  which  union 
into  one  buildirig,cne  city.fhouldbc  eftablifhedby  the  Moft  High,  %vho 
when  he  took  account  of  the  particular  inhabitants,  though  a  great 
multitude,  which  no  man  could  number,  yet  are  all  included  in  one  in 
Chrift  Jefus,  which  being  undcrftood,  fet' every  form  of  praife  in  mo- 
tion jthc  grand  chorus  oi  the  Song  is,  all  my  firings  arc  in  thee. 

O  o 


ago       PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SOUGS. 

'IV. 

Exceeding  great,  and  glorious  thingi^, 

Are  fpoken  in  the  word, 
To  be  accompliffied  in  thee, 

O  city  of  the  Lord. 
V. 
Should  any  doubt,  they'll  be  fulfili'd, 

OF  thofc  my  name  that  know, 
Egypt  nor  Babel  could  not  let, 

What  I  purposed  to  do. 
VI. 
The  Gentiles^  Pakjiinc^  and  Tyre^ 

With  Ethiop'a  too  > 
Inflead  of  hindering  is  the  place, 

Where  this  is  born  to  view. 
VII. 
Of  Zion  too  it  fhall  be  told, 

Both  this  and  that  man  were, 
Both  Jew,  and  Gentile^  one  in  ChrisIj 

Each  born  together  there. 
VIII. 
'Tis  not  the  wifdom,  or  the  power, 

Of  any  mortal  men  ; 
It  is  the  work  of  the  Moft  High, 

She  fliall  be  ftablifh'd  then. 
IX. 
The  Lord  when  he  the  people  writes, 

Tho'  more  than  men  can  count.      Rev*  vii.  9, 
This  one  new  man  in  Jesus  Christ, 

Makes  up  the  whole  amount. 
X. 
Thofe  who  can  fing,  and  cheerful  fay. 

For  ever  praife  the  Lord, 
With  thofe  on  Inftruments  that  play, 

Shall  join  with  one  accord. 
XI. 
To  fnout  the  praifes  of  thy  love, 

For  all  their  fong  fliall  be. 
My  fprings  of  hope,  of  life,  and  joy, 

Are  eve?'  all  in  thee,  PLALM 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  as'd  SONGS,         291 
PSALM    CXVIL 
I. 

J_iET  nations  all,  of  every  tongue. 

Unite  to  praife  th9  Lord  ; 
And  people  all.  of  every  land, 

To  praife  his  name  accord. 
IL 
Bccaufe  his  kindnefs  merciful. 

And  truth  forever  fure, 
Is  mofl  exceeding  great  to  us,* 

And  ever  fhall  endure. 
IIL 
Let  old  and  young,  let  low  and  high. 

Together  here  accord  ; 
And  every  foul,  from  all  the  earth. 

Unite  to  praife  the  Lord. 


PSALM    CXXXIU. 


The  fpirit  cf  Prophecy  in  this  Pfalm  appears  to  point  to  the  lovt- 
aniong  the  firft  Difciples  on  the  day  of  Penticoft,  the  fruit  of  the 
Spirit  fent  down  coniequent  on  the  Great  High-Priell's  goinp^  into 
the  heavenly  holy  place,  in  virtue  of  his  own  bloOti,* iVo^  to  appear 
in  the  prefence  of  God  for  us. 

I- 

J3EHOLD  !  a  good  and  pleafant  fight, 

In  brethren  that  agree, 
In  Christ  their  head,  and  thence  are  led 

To  love  and  unity. 
IL 
Like  precious  ointment  that  ran  down, 

The  head  of  JJraeVs  Pried, 
To's  garments,  where  their  names  he  wear. 

That  thus  they  might  be  bleft.  III. 

♦  To  us,  the  mercy  and  truth  is  doubtlefs  as  extenfivc  as  the  call  to 
fraife  him  ;  for  Pfalm  Ixxii.  17,  "  all  nations  fliaU  call  him  bleded." 
Jeremiah  iv.  2,  "  the  nations  fliall  blefs  thciii/elves  in  liiin,  and  in.  hira 
ftall  they  jjlory." 


2^         PSALMS,  HYMNS,  AN5    SONGS. 

in. 

Like  fruitful  Hermons  ufeful  dew. 

That  bleflings  there  produce, 
Which  Zions  mountains  plenty  fhew, 
For  Ifraers  daily  ufe. 
IV. 
Thefe  fliew  the  blefling  God  commands, 

Laid  up  in  plenteous  ftore, 
In  Jesus  fure  it  fhall  endure, 
s  'Tis  life  forevermore. 


A 


PSALM    CXLVIIL 
L 


UNIVERSAL  fliqut  of  joy,     , 
Now  to  Jehovah  bring. 
Ye  heav'ns  high,  ye  angels  all. 
Unite  his  praife  to  fmg. 
IL 
Praife  him  ye  fun,  and  moon,  and  ftars, 

Ye  heaven  of  heavens  too, 
And  waters  that  above  them  arc, 
For  he  created  you. 
IIL 
His  glorious  power,  his  arm  of  might, 

Upholds  you  where  you  are  ; 
By  his  eftablilhed  decree. 
You  ever  ftand  fall  there. 
IV. 
Let  dragons,  deeps,  and  catde  all, 
Praife  him  from  earth  below  ; 
Fire,  hail  and  vapor,  join  herein. 
With  ftormy  wind  and  fnow. 
V. 
Let  mountains  praife,  and  all  the  hills, 

And  fowls  of  every  wing, 
The  fruitful  trees,  and  cedars  all, 

And  evYy  creeping  thing.  VI. 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  an d  SONGS.         893 

VI. 

Come  and  agree  his  name  to  praife. 

Ye  Kings  of  noble  birth, 
Together  with  each  one  that  make^ 

All  people  of  the  earth. 

VIL 

Princes  to  him  by  whom  you  lulc. 

Your  grateful  homage  bring  i 
And  all  the  judges  of  the  earth, 

Praife  our  Almighty  King. 

VIII. 

Both  young  men  and  the  maidens  too, 

Old  men  and  children  fmall. 
In  confort    here  moft  gladly  join. 

His  praife  becomes  you  all. 

IX. 

Come  one  and  all  unite  to  praife, 

The  Lord's  exalted  name ; 
In  which  his  glory  is  above 

Both  earth  and  heaven's  frame. 

X. 

This  is  the  name  that  Jesus  hath, 

Above  each  name  always, 
That  in  his  name  each  knee  ihould  bow. 

And  tongue  confefs  his  praife. 

XL 
Thus  he  exalts  his  people's  horn, 

That's  raifed  up  for  us, 
E'en  our  falvation's  mighty  horn, 

In's  fervant  David's  houfe. 

XIL 
He  is  the  fubje6l  of  the  praife, 

Of  all  with  one  accord, 
His  fsiints,  his  Ifrael,  near  to  him, 
O  then  praife  ye  the  Lord. 

Devi. 


^91        PSALMS,  HYMNS,  akd  SONGS, 

Deut.  X.  21.    He  is  thy  praifc. 
I. 

X  HE  glory  of  the  church'^  head, 

Be  ever  on  our  mind, 
The  fubjed  of  our  fongs  in  him, 
May  we  forever  find. 

n. 

From  antichriftian  pride  in  fongs. 

May  we  be  fafe  preferv'd, 
Nor  ever  dare  of  our  own  worth, 

To  fing  before  the  Lord. 
HL 
To  him  whofe  life  fulfill 'd  the  law, 

Whofe  death  doth  fin  attone, 
Whofe  refurreftion  from  the  dead, 

Proves  him  the  Holy  one.    • 
IV. 
To  him  who  lives  for  evermore, 

A  prieft  to  intercede, 
And  all  who  come  to  God  by  himj 

Can  fave  in  utmoft  need. 
V. 
E'en  him  who  to  the  holiefl 

Is  gone,  with  his  own  blood, 
And  ever  pleads  his  worthinefs, 

Before  the  throne  of  God. 
VI. 
To  him  who  came  to  feek  and  favcj 

The  altogether  loft. 
Be  our  high  praifes  in  our  fongs. 

For  evermore  addrefs'd. 
VII. 
To  him  who  fav'd  the  dying  thief ; 

Call'd  perfecuting  Saul  ; 
Look't  Peter  to  repentance  too. 

After  his  fearful  fall. 


vm 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS.        £95 

VIII. 

To  him  who  fet  th'  Adulterous  free, 

And  wafh'd  Corinthiam  ftain, 
Who  found  Ephejians  dead  in  finj 

And  quicken'd  them  again. 
IX. 
To  him  who  the  redeemed  church, 

Afcribe  all  worth  alone, 
And  conftant  pay  their  folemn  praife, 

Agreeing  all  in  one. 
X. 
To  him  then  be  all  praife  afcrib'd, 

With  univerfal  reign, 
And  glory,  honour,  power,  and  might, 

For  evermore.  Amen. 


CHRIST  RIDING  TO  JERUSALEM. 
I. 

XvEJOlCE,  O  Zion's  daughter  here, 

With  joy,  exceeding  great,  rejoice  : 
And  let  Jerusalem's  daughter  too. 

Join  in  with  joyful  (houting  voice. 
IL 
Behold  thy  King  cometh  to  thee. 

With  fplendid  ornaments  divine  ; 
He's  juft,  and  yet  falvation  hath. 

In  lowly  meeknefs  he  doth  fliine. 
III. 
BEHOLD  him  riding  in  upon 

A  colt  his  own,  for  him  prepar'd,* 
On  which  no  man  before  had  lat. 

Attend  and  hear  the  Kin^  declar'd.  IV. 

*  The  owners  held  their  title  under  their  Lord  :  So  Jefus  faith  t» 
Ms  difciples,  "  fay  the  Lord  hath  need  of  him,  and  ftrsitway  he  will 
fend  him."  Markxi.  3,5,  6.  Luke  xix.  33.  Is  rot  this  for  our  in- 
ftruflion,  and  a  rebuke  to  our  coveteoufncis,  that  would  withheW 
■»v'hat  he  in  his  members  hath  need  of. 


296       PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS* 

IV. 

•  A  multitude,  lo  !  very  great, 

With  chearfulnefs  their  garments  lay  ;* 
Others  cut  goodly  branches  down,t 
And  joyful  Tpread  them  by  the  way. 

Hark!  hear  the  fhout  of  highefl  joy, 

Of  which  we  heard  the  prophet  ti*:;at, 
By  thofe  thai  go  along  before. 

Which  they  who  follow  loud  repeat. 
VI. 
Hofanna,  blefled  Ifratl\  King, 

That  Cometh  in  the  name,  the  Lord,J 
Hofanna  to  King  David's  Son, 

Hofanna  high  with  one  accord# 
VII. 
Look  !  fee  among  the  crowded  throng, 

Children  aloud  hofanna  cry  ;§ 
But  it  offends  chief  priefts  and  fcribes, 

Who  were  fpeftators  Handing  by. 
VIII. 
Were  I  aniong  the  multitude,' 

Methinks  I'd  liften  then  to  hear. 
Doth  he  rejeQ,  or  now  accept, 

The  praifes  of  the  children  dear. 
IX. 
Ffom  babes  and  fucklings  he  approves, 

The  praifes  of  his  worthy  name. 
And  afks  chief  priefts  and  fcribes,  if  they|| 

Remember  d  not  to  read  the  fame. 
X. 
But  'ere  I  leave  this  wondrous  fight, 

Methinks  I  long  to  hear  the  King, 
His  fpeech,  the  laws,  his  will,  the  news, 

He  doth  his  vaft  dominions  bring.  XI. 


O" 


*  Matthew  Jfxi.  8.  f  Mark.  xi.  8.  J  Matthew  xxi.  6.  Hofanna 
feems  to  be  the  acclamatiott  of  falvation  and  praife,  or  falvation  and 
praife  to  the  fon  of  David.    J  Matthew  xxi.  15.    [j  Matthew  xxi.  16. 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS.        297 

XL 

He  to  the  heatheh  fnall  fpeak  PEACE,* 

The  ancient  prophet  teftifies  ; 
JPeace  in  the  Heav'ns  ;  and  glory  int 

The  higheft  ;  multitudes  replies. 
XIL 
PEACE  comprehends  the  blefled  news  ;;j; 

And  tho'  I  cannot  longer  flay, 
To  hear  his  fpeech,  his  laws,  his  will, 

I'd  bear  this  olive-branch  away. 


FRIENDSHIP. 

PROVERDS  XVii.  17. 

A  Friend  loveth  at  all  Times. 
I. 

Friendship,  thou  eafy  pleafmg  word, 

How  foon  art  thou  profefs'd  ; 
Friendlhip,  thou  aftive,  helpful  thing, 

By  whom  art  thou  poflels'd  ; 
IL 
But  could  I  find  the  happy  fouls. 

Who  friendfhip  faft  did  tie, 
I  could  not  here  with  fafety  truft, 

Becaufe  the  friends  muft  die.  III. 

*  Zechar'i&h  ix.  lO.  t  Ltihe\\x.  37,  38. 

X  IJaiah  liii.  5,  "  The  chaftileinent  ot  our  peace  was  upon  him,  Ivii. 
:9.  1  create  the  fruit  of  the  lips ;  peace,  peace  to  far  olf  and  to  near, 
iiith  the  Lord."  John  xvi.  23.  "  The(e  things  I  have  fpoken  unto 
you,  that  in  me  ye  might  have  Peace.  John  xix.  19.  Jelus  ftood  in 
the  midit,  and  faid  unto  them,  Peace  unt.,>  you  ;  verfe  ai,  then  laid 
Jefus  unco  them  -igain,  PtACF  unto  you  ;  verie  26,  Peace  unto  you." 
.rfif?/ X.  36.  "  Preaching  peace  by  Jefus  Chrift."  Ethefians  w.  14, 
"  tor  he  is  our  Peace  ;  verie  ly,  and  came  and  preached  Pface  X^ 
you  that  were  a  far  off,  and  to  them  that  were  nigh," 


k 


Pp 


;^    393      PSALMS,  HYMNS,  AUt>  SONGS, 

III. 

Then  look  away  for  fricndfliip  fure, 

Beyond  the  dying  race, 
To  him  who  Hves  forevermore, 
Time  cannot  his  deface. 
IV. 
My  earthly  friend  forgets  my  pain, 

My  forrow  and  my  woe  ; 
Yea,  mothers  !  ftrange  !  of  children  too 
May  thus  forgetful  grow.* 
V. 
But  he,  the  never  failing  Friend, 

Before  the  world  had  frame, 
Had  his  delights  with  fons  of  men, 
And  ever  is  the  fame,  t 
VI. 
He  had  them  graven  on  his  heart,J 

With  all  dieir  guilt  and  woe. 
To  fave  them  he  their  natures  took. 
And  anfwers  what  they  owe. 
VII. 
They  ow'd  obedience  to  the  law 
Which  they  could  never  pay. 
But  lo  !  I  come  to  do  thy  will,^ 
The  Friend  is  heard  to  fay. 
VIII. 
Wha:  law  and  juftice  both  demand, 

The  foul  that  fins  fliall  die, 
He  as  their  Head  and, in  their  ftead, 
Doth  dying  fatisfy. 
IX. 
In  proof  the  debt  is  fully  paid. 

Death  could  not  him  detain,  5 
Hark  !  hear  the  glad  important  news, 
Lo  !  Jesus  rofe  again. 

X, 

*  Ifaiah  xlix.  15.    f  Proverbs  viii.  31.    J  Ifaiah  xlix.  16. 
§  Pfalm  xl.  7,  8.    Hcb.  x.  7,  9, 10.    fl  A£ls  ii.  34. 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS.       299 

X. 

He's  gone,  the  great  High-Prieft  is  gone. 

To  Heaven  itfelf  indeed, 
In  virtue  of  his  precious  blood,* 

For  us  to  intercede. 
XI. 
Then  nothing  fure  can  feparate 

Us  from  his  friendly  love, 
Nor  tribulation,  nor  diftrefs,t 

Nor  depth,  nor  height  above. 

xn. 

For  thefe  he  loves,  tho'  in  the  world, 

He  loves  unto  the  end  :J 
This,  this  is  our  beloved  Sire, 

And  our  eternal  Friend. 


John  xv.  15. 

/  have  called  ye   Friends^ 
I. 

J  ESUS  my  ever  prefent  Friend^ 

Thy  Friendfliip  ever  fure, 
Thro'  time,  thro'  all  eternity 

Unchanging  doth  endure. 

n. 

What  tho'  my  earthly  friends  grow  cold, 

Nor  afk  me  in  their  door, 
Where  I  was  welcome  in  and  out 

With  freedom  heretofore. 
HI. 
Jesus  rcmiY)dsme,  I'm  the  door, 

Come  enter,  I  will  fave. 
Come  in  and  out  and  welcome  you,1I 

By  me  ihall  pafturc  have. 

IV. 

*  Heb.  U.    24.    t  5^oni.  viii.  35,  39     t  Johnxiii,  i,   ^]ohn  x.  9 


30O        PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS. 

IV. 
In  thy  fure  Friendfhip  may  I  joy. 

Forever  night  and  day, 
With  fulleft  f'atisfaftion,  when 

My  earthly  friends  decay. 
V. 
And  may  the  pure  unmixed  love, 

That  did  thy  friendfhip  place 
Upon  our  nature  in  our  fin. 

Which  reacheth  all  our  race, 
VI. 
May  love  felf  mov'd,  and  thus  extent, 

Be  conftant  on  my  mind, 
That  I  may  treat  the  purchased  race 

With  tender  Friendlhip  kind. 


The  Love  of  Jesus  Christ,  made  manifejl   to  htth 
Children. 


H. 


I. 


.OW  fliall  a  child  aright  conceive, 
Of  Jesus  and  his  Love  ; 
That  fiiines  in  all  he  doth  fo  bright, 
'Tis  angels  thoughts  above. 
II. 
He  took  a  child  into  his  arms,  * 

There  union  with  him  fee  ; 
Who  doth  receive  fuch  in  my  name, 
He  faith,  receiveth  me. 
III. 
Jesus,  both  yefterday,  to  day,t 

And  ever  is  the  fame  : 
He  on  young  children  laid  his  hands,J 
And  bleffed  be  his  name. 

IV. 

*  Mark  iv.  36,  37,     f  Hebrews  xiii.  8.    J  Matthew  xix.  icj  i; 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS.        301 

IV. 

Of  fuch  my  heav'nly  kingdom  is,* 

Then  let  them  come  to  me  ;  t 
Thus  fafety  for  a  helplefs  childj 

And  joy  and  comfort  fee. 
V. 
Whoever  through  his  haughty  pride, 

Difdains  to  take  it  fo, 
While  that  prevails  they  never  ffiall. 

Into  his  kingdom  go.;J; 
VI. 
O  may  I  from  my  early  youth, 

Have  conftantly  in  mind, 
The  condefcending  love  and  grace. 

Of  child  and  infants  friend. 
VII. 
O  may  I  early  know  thy  name, 

And  always  truft  thy  care  ; 
Help  me  Lord  Jesus  by  thy  word, 

My  conduft  all  to  fquare. 


Confolation  in  CuKiST/or  Utile  Children, 
I. 

Where  (hall  a  feeble,  belplefs  child, 

Find  courage  to  its  mind  ; 
B!it  in  the  power  and  grace  of  him, 

Who  came  the  loft  to  find.J 
IL 
As  he  that  hath  an  hundred  fheep. 

If  one  of  them  doth  ftray, 
Leaves  ninety-nine  to  go  and  feek,|| 

And  bring  it  on  his  way. 

III. 

*  Matthew  xix.  14.     f  Mark  x.  14.    %  Mark  x.  15.    §  Matthew 
Xviii.  II.     I',  M;itthe\y  xviii.  12. 


302        PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS. 

III. 

Your  heav'niy  father,  Jesus  faith. 

As  in  his  word  we're  told  ; 
Will  not  have  one  fuch  little  one, 
To  perifh  from  his  fold.* 
IV. 
O  may  I  know  his  worthy  name, 

And  trufl  his  faithful  care  ; 
In  every  gloomy  fearful  thought. 
Find  help  and  fafety  there. 
V. 
Since  God  is  love,  and  hath  it  fhewn,t 

In  Jesus  unto  me  ;J 
May  I  from  (lavilh  dread  of  him, 
Be  evermore  fet  free. 
VI. 
And  ever  have  upon  my  mind, 

A  fenfe  I'm  not  my  own  ; 
But  am  moft  gratefully  oblig'd. 
To  live  to  him  alone. 


O 


HosEA  xiv.  8. 
Irom  me  is  /hy  fruit  found, 
I. 


MY  ungrateful  barrennefs, 
Is  eyer  caufe  of  Ihame, 
When  for  a  theme  of  fruitfulnefs 
I  have  the  Saviour's  name. 
II. 
When  e'er  I  fit  at  home  alone. 

Can  I  be  at  a  lofs 
For  entertainment  to  my  mind. 
Since  Christ  dy'd  on  the  crofs, 

III. 
*  Matthew  xviii.  14.     •}•  ift  of  John,iv.  S,  i6.  J  ift  of  John,'.iv.  9. 


PSALMS,  HYMxNS,  and  SONGS.        303 

III. 

Can  I  be  lonely,  low  or  dull, 

When  Scriptures  afcertain 
This  glad,  this  all-important  news. 

That  Jesus  rofe  again  ? 
IV. 
Can  Imy  fellow-finners  meetj 

Silent  about  the  news, 
That  brings  complete  falvation  to 

Our  loft  perplexed  views  ? 
V. 
And  doth  afford  a  laPiing  fund 

Of  gladnefs,  love  and  joy, 
To  ranlom'd  captives  long  enflav'd, 

Their  praifes  to  employ. 
VI. 
This  is  the  ground  we  finners  have 

To  worfliip,  when  v;e  meet, 
'Caufe  Jesus  dyd  and  rofe  again. 

Our  hope  is  now  complete. 
VII. 
And  tho'  in  view  of  what  we  are, 

Our  mouths  are  wholly  ftopp'd, 
Yet  viewing  him,  we  may  draw  near 

With  an  affured  hope. 
VIII. 
The  healing  of  my  barrennefs, 

No  other  where  I  fee. 
But  in  the  union  with  the  Vine, 

And  fruitful  Olive-Tree. 


1  Corinthians, 


3^4        PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS. 

1    CoRINTHIAxVS,  Xi.  24. 

Thii  do  in  remembrance  of  me. 
I. 


THOU,  the  Churches  ftrength  and  fong, 
Be  pleas'd  to  teach  our  minds  and  tongue 

To  fing  aright  of  the  difplay. 
Of  wifdom,  juftice,  grace  divine, 
That  meet,  that  harmonize  and  fhine 

In  Jesus  taking  fm  away. 

n. 

And  in  that  firm  foundatioti  laid, 
The  night  in  which  he  was  betray'd, 

To  bring  himfelf  and  love  to  view  ; 
Which  in  his  life  and  death  he  fhew, 
And  rofe  again  to  prove  it  true, 

A  theme  the  Church  holds  ever  new. 

in. 

The  flain  Lamb's  worthinefs  they  fing. 
Their  facrifice,  their  Prieft  and  King, 

With  lovely  harmony  they  found  ; 
On  whom  alone  their  hopes  do  reft, 
To  whom  their  loyalties  exprefl, 

W"hile  they  appear  his  table  round. 
IV. 
But  who  of  all  the  guilty  race 
May  at  his  table  find  a  place  ? 

A  wretch  replete  with  guilt  as  I ; 
Becaufe  the  Lamb  that  once  was  flain* 
Arofc,  and  ever  lives  again, 

May  be  encourag'd  to  draw  nigh, 
V. 
The  obligations  this  doth  bind, 
Conception  here  is  loft  to  find, 

May  we  as  one  while  here  combine 
Our  higheft  gratitude  to  fliow, 
By  following  him  where'er  he'll  go, 

In  hopes  eternal  praife  to  join.  Lt/Kf. 


rSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS*       305 

Luke  xxii.  19. 
This  do  in  Remembrance  0/  Me. 

1, 


W] 


HEM  in  ourfelves  we  view  ourftatCj 
Both  fhame  and  guilt  and  Fear, 
Arifes  to  our  anxious  minds, 
We're  loft  and  in  defpair. 
11. 
But  when  we  read  the  Gofpel  news, 

A  ray  of  hope  creeps  in, 
Jesus  was  born^  liv'd.  dy'd  and  rofcj 
And  put  away  our  fin. 
III. 
Tho'  Satan  accufe,  the  law  condemns, 

And  confcience  guilty  cries. 
There's  life  and  hope  in  Gofpel  news, 
'Tis  God  that  juftifies.* 
IV. 
He'sjuft  herein  for  Jesus  dy'd, 

Yea,  rather  rofe  again, 
Thus  law  and  juftice  hath  its  due. 
The  cafe  is  very  plain. 
V. 
Here's  now  the  baptifm  that  faves, 

Not  wafbing  hands  or  head, 
But  confcience  furnifhd  with  repiy,t 
By's  riling  from  the  dead. 
VI. 
Therefore  we  meet  and  break  the  bread, 

And  take  and  eat  and  drink, 
In  memry  of  his  dying  love, 
Of  which  we  fpeak  and  think. 

VIL 

*  Romans  vUi.  33,  -f  Peter  iii.  ax. 


§o6       PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS. 

VII. 
In  happinefs  and  liberty 

We  glory  fince  weVe  found 
That  we  are  not  our  own,  but  are 

Thy  fervants  bought  and  bound. 


Psalm  cxi.  4. 
He  hath  made  his  wonderful  works  to  he  remembered. 
I. 


O 


FOR  a  fong  of  grateful  praife. 

For  love  furpaffing  thought, 

Which  gladfome  tidings  unto  us. 

Are  by  the  Gofpel  brought. 

II. 

For  him  who  knew  no  fin  at  all, 

To  be  made  fin  for  us  ; 
For  us  under  the  curfe  of  law 
Himfelf  was  made  a  curfe. 
III. 
That  we  in  him  might  now  be  made 

The  righteoufnefs  of  God, 
And  have  full  freedom  from  the  curfe. 
The  purchafe  of  his  blood. 
IV. 
And  have  a  token  of  his  love 

'Till  he  again  fliall  come, 
And  fee  the  travel  of  his  foul, 
And  take  his  purchafe  home. 
V. 
May  hearts  and  lips,  and  lives  and  tongues 

Conceive  and  fpeak  his  praife. 
As  it  becomes  the  Gofpel  news, 
Through  our  remaining  days, 

PSALM. 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS.       30^ 

PSALM    Ixviii.  19. 

Blcjfed  he  the  Lord  who  daily  loadeth  ws  with  htne- 
Jits,  the  God  of  our  falvatiori  ;  Selah, 

L 

V>OME  let  us  join  as  one  and  fing, 
The  praifes  due  to  Zions  King, 

For  joy  of  life,  and  health,  and  friends. 
And  let  our  raiment  and  our  food, 
Be  always  by  us  underltood. 

As  what  he  undeferved  fends. 
IL 
ProteSlion  too  from  dangers  great, 
Which  multiply  while  we  relate, 

From  childhood  both  by  night  and  day. 
From  water,  fire,  wounds  and  falls, 
From  ficknefs  rais'd  aloud  it  calls, 

That  we  a  grateful  tribute  pay. 
IIL 
Our  dwelling  places  found  iniire, 
When  oft'  indanger'd  by  the  fire, 

A  mercy  think  how  veiy  great; 
His  favour  undeferv'd  admire, 
He  doth  it  certainly  require. 

While  we  the  circumftance  relate, 
IV. 
Thefe  mercies  which  we  now  relate, 
Altho'  they  are  exceeding  great. 

And  claim  our  conftant  praifing  breath. 
Yet  even  in  their  higheft  prime, 
Are  chiefly  bounded  here  by  time. 

And  ending  in  our  day  of  death. 
V. 
But  when  we're  taught  of  God  to  look, 
Into  the  volume  of  his  book. 

For  his  defigns  of  grace  therein; 
Eternal  mercies   there  unfold, 
Which  eye  ha'nt  feen,  nor  car  heard  told; 

And  thought  is  loft  where  to  begin,  VI. 


50S        PSALMS,  HYMNS,  AND    SONGS/ 

VI. 

But  may  our  fong  arifc  and  fwell, 
While  by  it  we  attempt  to  tell, 

Whats  far  beyond  the  reach  of  tho't  j 
Eternal  Wifdom's  perfeft  plan, 
Beyond — Beyond  device  of  man  ! 

To  us  by  Revelation  brought. 

VII. 

Which  opens  up  defigns  of  grace. 
For  finners  of  the  human  race, 

Long  back  from  all  eternity  I 
To  come  to  view  to  them  in  time. 
When  not  for  his  but  for  their  crimCj 

The  fpodefs  Son  of  God  did  die, 

VIIL 
'Tis  finilhed,  he  then  could  fay. 
The  debt  dilcharg  d,  he  had  to  pay, 

Juftice  is  fully  fatisfy'd, 
His  refurreftion  fully  fliews. 
This  glad,  this  all  important  news, 

Death  could  not  hold  him  when  he  dy'^, 

IX, 

He  rofe,  he  lives  for  evermore, 

The  great  High-Prieft  is  gone  before. 

To  Heaven  itfelf,  the  holy  place, 
For  us,  (with  joy  be't  underftood,) 
To  plead  the  virtue  of  his  blood. 

Before  the  Holy  Father's  face, 

X, 

This  is  the  hope  within  the  vail, 
We  may  lay  hold  and  cannot  fail, 

'Tis  there  that  our  forerunner's  gone, 
The  anchor  holds,  the  heads  fecure, 
The  members  then  muft  all  endure, 

They're  only  fafe  in  him  alone. 

XI, 


PSALMSj  liYMNS,  and  SONGS,        309 

XI. 

The  knowledge  of  this  truth  fhould  caufe. 
That  we  with  gratitude  fhould  paufe, 

And  know  our  lips,  and  lives,  and  tongues, 
Belong  to  him  to  (hew  his  praife, 
Jn  duuful  becoming  ways, 

With  fweeteft,  fofteft,  higheft  fo;igs. 


A  MORNING  THOUGHTo 

On  Psalm  Ixviii,  15. 
I. 

JVlERCIES  with  mornings  multiply, 

The  Lord  be  ever  bleft, 
Who  with  them  daily  loadeth  us, 

And  nightly  gives  us  reft. 
II. 
To  think  how  high  our  praife  fliould  rife, 

To  view  the  joyful  claufe,  *^ 
The  God  of  our  Salvation  fure. 

Let  Sclah  make  the  paufe. 


An  address  to  the  READER. 

Jl  ERHAPS  you  may  be  ready  to  fay,  on 
looking  over  the  foregoing,  I  find,  as  far  a*.  I  have 
read,  every  fong  centers  in  the  refurreftion  ofChrift: 
Why,  or  whence  is  it  that  that  event  is  fo  much  in- 
filled on  ?  I  anfwer,  for  the  fame  reafon,  *  that  the 
Apoftles  ofChriftinall  their  preaching  and  writing  had 
this  truth  in  view,  a§  the  only  foundation  of  their  hope : 

If 

♦  Ads  ii.  32,--lb.  ch.  iii.  1.5— iv.  10— 33— v,  30— vii.  51,  55,  i^S, 
r-x.  4'5— *iii- 30.  33>  34,  37.— xvii.  3,  31.  Thus  for  the  Apoftle's 
oreachintj,  to  turn  to  tneir  •writings  on  this  hand  wculd  be  too 
(engthy. 


310     An  address  to  ihe  READER. 

If  Christ  be  not  raifed  our  preaching  is  vain,  ye 
are  yet  in  your  fi!i^,  and  thofe  who  have  fallen 
afleep  in  Christ  are  periflied  ;  but  now  is  Christ 
rifcn  from  the  dead,  and  by  his  accomplifliing  a  per- 
fect obedience  to  the  divine  Law,  and  fufFering  the 
penalty  annexed  to  our  tranfgreflion,  was  fulfilled  the 
prophecy  of  the  Old  Teftament,  of  his  finifliing  tranf- 
greflion, making  an  end  of  fin,  bringing  in  everlaft- 
ing  righteoufnefs  j  fo  that  theuniverlal  Church  fhall 
call  him  the  Lord  our  righteoufnefs,  and  every  mem- 
ber fliall  fay,  Surely  in  the  Lord  have  I  righteoufnefs. 
Now  when  he  was  on  earth,  claiming  the  chara6ler 
of  him  who  was  to  accomplifh  this,  and  proving  it  by 
his  works,  he  is  called  a  blafphemer,  the  ifflie  of  the 
controverfy  is  put  on  his  refurreSlion,  and  this  event 
taking  place,he  is  declared  the  Son  of  God  ivithpozver 
according  to  the  Spirit  of  Holinefs^  and  made  it  evi- 
dent that  he  has  accomplifiied  our  deliverance  from 
the  curfe  of  the  law,  by  being  made  a  curfe  for  us  ; 
in  that  law  andjuftice  could  hold  him  no  longer, /or 
it  zvas  not  pofjible  he  Jhouldbe  holden  of  death.  Hence, 
faith  the  Apoftle,  He  died  for  our  offences,  and  rofe 
again  for  our  jujiification,  and  hence  we  read  of  the 
anfwer  of  a  good  confcience  by  the  refiirreclion  of 
Jefus  Chrift  ;  and  that  it  is  God  that  juflifieth,  who 
is  he  that  condemneth  ?  It  is  Chrift  that  died,  yea  ra- 
ther that  is  rifcn  again  :  Confequently,  the  Apof- 
tle took^reat  care  to  keep  this  in  the  memory  of  the 
Difciples,  Remember  that  Jefus  Chrifi,  of  the  feed  of 
David,  zuas  raifed  from  the  dead,  according  to  my 
gofpel,  2  Timothy,  ii.  8.  Salvation  by  the  death  and 
relurrcclion  of  Chrift,  is  the  gofpel,  the  Apoftles 
preached  among  them,  by  which,  faith  Paul,  Ye  are 
faved  if  ye  keep  in  memory  -what  I  preached  unto  you. 
To  keep  this  truth  in  my  own  and  your  memory  is 
the  defign  in  view,  as  the  underftanding,  remem- 
brance of  this  truth  will  fave  us  from  the  diftrefling 

anxiety 


PSALMS, HYMKS,  AND  SONGS.        311 

anxiety  of  the  curfe  of  the  la'\\',  and  the  innumerable 
perplexities  confequent  thereon  through  life,  and  at 
the  hour  of  death,  to  which  we  are  all  without  excep- 
tion haflening ;  For  it  is  appointed  unto  7nan  once  to 
die.  Surely  then,  that  by  which  we  are  faved  from 
the  fting  of  death,  ought  to  be  ever 'had  in  remem- 
brance. 


Hebrews  ix.  27. 

It  is  appointed  unto  Man  once  to  die* 


H 


I. 


ARK  !  from  the  word  a  folemn  truth 
Doth  thence  falute  our  ears. 
Which  equally  concerns  us  all, 
Alarming  all  our  fears. 
II. 
Sin  came  by  one  man  in  the  world. 

Thereby  death  enter'd  in, 
So  death  hath  pafs'd  upon  all  men, 
For  all  partake  therein. 
III. 
Ah  !  death,  fm  arm'd  thee  with  thy  ftingj 

And  caus'd  thee  forth  to  go 
Againft  mankind,  as  if  thou  w'crt 
Their  univerfal  foe. 
IV. 
Not  youth,  nor  health,  nor  vifefulnefsa 

Can  ward  thy  fatal  blow  ; 
The  rich,  and  thofo  in  honour  high, 
Muft  at  thy  fummons  go. 
V. 
The  learn'd,  the  pious,  and  the  wife 

Mult  to  thy  ftroke  fubmit, 
Nor  can  the  mighty  of  the  earth 
Refilt  the  force  of  ji. 

VI. 


312        rSALMS,  HYMNS,  anb  SONGS* 

VI. 

The  peafant  low,  and  moft  obfcure 

Cannot  efcape  thine  eye, 
O  thou  dread  monarch  who  regards 

The  low  as  well  as  high. 
VII. 
The  tender  bands  that  wedlock  ties 

By  thee,  alas,  mull  break  ! 
Moll  kind  and  loving  partners  thou 

Doft  from  each  other  take. 
VIII. 
Where  then  fhall  we  confole  ourfdves, 

In  thought  that  we  muft  die, 
But  in  the  righteoufnefs  of  one 

Complete  to  juflify. 
IX. 
O  death  and  grave,  where's  now  thy  fting  ? 

Since  Jesus  Christ  did  die. 
Thanks  to  his  name,  who  doth  thro'  him 

Give  us  the  vidory. 


Wi 


Luke  xv— i  to  7, 
I. 


HEN  publicans  and  finners  wifh'd 
That  they  might  Jesus  hear ; 
And  both  were  led  with  hafty  fe^t 
Together  to  draw  near ; 
II. 
The  fcribes  and  pharifees  agree 

To  murmur  at  the  fight ; 
This  man  receives  the  finners,  and 
Eats  with  them  with  delight, 

III. 


I 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS.        §13 

III. 
He  kindly  afics  them,  which  of  yoii 

An  hundred  {heep  that  own'd, 
If  one  be  loit  would  ceafe  to  feek, 
Till  he  the  wanderer  found. 
IV. 
If  he  had  earn'd  them,  or  if  thcy^ 

Were  what  his  father  gave, 
There  was  not  one  that  he  would  lofcj 
Were  it  his  power  to  fave. 
V. 
For  tho'  its  loft,  and  ftray'd  away, 

'Tis  ftill  his  property, 
Nor  can  it  be   detain'd  from  him, 
Paying  the  damage  fee. 
VI. 
It  might,  alas,  beyond  the  fight, 

Of  feeble  mortals  ftray, 
Or  want  of  power,  or  want  of  love, 
Prevent  being  brought  away. 
VII. 
But  praifes  high  be  ever  fung. 

The  Shepherd  great  and  good, 
Hath  eyes  like  to  a  flaming  fire, 
That  pierces  through  the  wood. 
VIII. 
He  wants  not  riches,  love,  or  power. 

The  flieep  he  knows  his  own, 
To  ranfom  all  his  property. 
He  hath  his  life  laid  down. 
IX. 
He  rofe,  he  lives  eternrilly, 

In  proof  he's  paid  the  coft, 
His  flieep  fhall  have  eternal  life, 
,     Nor  one  of  them  be  loll. 


His 


R  r 


314         PSALMS,  HYMNS,  and  SONGS. 

X. 

His  love  be  ever  on  our  mind, 

With  gratitude  and  joy, 
Attending  daily  to  his  voice, 

As  our  mod  fweet  employ.' 


Isaiah  xli.  4. — xlviii.  12.  and  xliv.  6. 

Thus  faith  the  Lord  the  King  of  Ifrael,  and  his  re- 
deemer the  Lordof  hojls,  I  am  the  Firjl-,  and  I  am  the 
Lajl  ;  and  befides  me  there  is  no  God. — Rev.  i.  8, 
11,  17,  and  xxii.  13.  lam  the  Fir/},  and  the  LaJ}» 
— That  thefe  two  pafTages  in  the  Revelations  fpeak 
of  Jefus  Chrift,  i^  evident  from  the  connexion  of  the 
17th  and  18th  verfes  of  the  firft  chapter,  /  am  the 
Firjl  and  the  Lajh  ;  /,  he  that  liveth  and  was  dead, 
and  behold  I  am  alive  for  evermore  :  And  from 
chap.  ii.  8.  Thefe  things  faith  the  Firjl  and  the  Lajl^ 
which  tjas  dead  and  is  alive.  Confequently,  Jefus 
Chrift,  is  the  Lord,  the  King  of  Ifrael,  and  his  Re- 
deemer, the  Lord  of  Hofts,  the  Firft  and  the  Laft  ; 
befideswhom  is  no  God,  or  the  one  only  living  and  true 
God,  is  manifeft  in  Chiift  Jefus,  the  juft  God,  and 
the  Saviour :  There  is  none  befides,  as  faith  John, 
ift  Epiftle,  V.  20.  We  are  in  him  that  is  true,  m  his 
Son  Jefus  Chrifi  ;  this  (viz.  God  in  Chrift)  is  the 
true  God  and  eternal  life. 

I. 

Jesus  our  fubjea  in  the  Firft, 

Our  grateful  fong  is  in  the  Laft, 
He  doth  begin  our  confidence, 

Then  let  us  hold  him  ever  faft. 

n. 

Our  confidence  in  him's  fecure, 

And  never  can  or  will  us  fail, 
His  Priefthood  ever  ftiall  endure, 

He's  gone  fo   us  within  the  vail,  HI. 


PSALMS,  HYMNS,  an  d  SONGS.        3 1 5 

III. 

The  great  and  fure  foundation  laid, 

Is  Jclus  Chrilt  and  him  alone  j 
Other  than  this  can  no  man  lay, 

He  is  the  chief  and  Corner-Stonc. 
IV. 
In  him  we've  confolation  ftrong, 

Our  refuge  that  will  never  fail, 
The  only  hope  before  us  fet, 

Our  Anchor  fare  within  the  vail. 
V. 
Jefus  thy  love  fhall  clofe  our  fong, 

That  flow'd  unfought  through  ages  paft, 
And  flows  to  all  eternity, 

Thou  art  our  All — our  Firft  and  Laft. 

AMEN. 


"  0  Ifrael,  tliou  (hall  not  be  forgotten  of  me,  /  have  blotted  out 
as  a  thick  cloud  thy  tranfgrellions,  anal  as  a  cloud  thy  (ins  :  Return, 
for  /  hanje  redeemed  thee  :  Sing,  O  ye  Heavens,  for  the  Lord  hatli 
done  it!  Shout,  ye  lower  parts  of  the  earth,  break  forth  into  finii;int; 
ye  mountains,  O  foreft,  and  every  tree  therein  :  For  the  Lord  hath 
rf£/rr;77frf  Jacob,  and  glorified  himfelf  in  Ifrael.  O  praife  the  Lord 
all  ye  nations  :  Praife  him,  all  ye  people  ;  both  young  men  and  mai- 
dens, old  men  and  children  ;  let  them  praife  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
Ye  that  fear  the  Ltird,  praife  him  :  Speaking  to  yourfelves  and  one 
another,  in  Pfalms,  Hymns,  and  Spiritual  Sengs,  iinging  and  makinq; 
melody  in  your  heart  to  the  Lord  :  Let  every  thing  that  hath  breath 
praife  the  Lord,"  Ilaiah,  David,  Paul. 


SECTION 


SECTION       X. 


Introduflion, 

X  HE  method  of  teaching  children  and  youth 
by  catechifing,  is  undoubtedly  very  inftruciing,  if 
the  matter  taught  is  accept-ihle  words,  even  written 
upright  words  of  truth,  which  flow  from  divine  wif- 
<Jon\,  and  are  as  goads  aad  nails  faflencd,  for  the  di- 
reftion  of  mafters  of  affemblies,  which  are  given  from 
one  .fhepherd.  The  AfTemblies  catechifm  being 
thtmght  exceptionable  in  many  places,  when  compar- 
ed with  this  rule,  hath  induced  fome  among  us  to  lay 
it  afide  ;  and  having  been  requefted  by  fome  worthy 
friends,  to  endeavour  to  put  into  their  hands  fome- 
thing  in  this  way  as  an  afliftant  in  indruding  their 
children,  I  have  thought  that  as  the  Affemblies  fliorti 
er  catechifm  had  been  rqade  familiar  by  ufe,  and  con- 
tained many  excellent  things,  it  might  comport  with 
the  requeft  of  my  friends.  To  endeavour  a  more 
plain  Icriptural  anfwer  to  fome  parts  of  it,  and  to. 
prefentitinevery  anfwer  agreeable  to  the  fcriptures  of 
truth  ;  an  acquaintance  with  which,  is  a  principal  end 
we  ought  to  have  in  view  in  the  inflruBion  of  chil- 
dren and  youth  ;  for  this  end,  I  have  fet  the  proofs 
in  the  margin,  as  v/ell  as  to  appeal  to  them  for  the 
truth  and  confiflency  of  the  anfwers.  All  that  can 
be  faid  to  recommend  it,  is,  it  is  an  affemblage  of 
divine  fcriptures, calculated  to  inf^ruQ  the  mind  in  a 
more  plain,  eafy  and  fatisfa6lory  manner,  than  can  he 
done  in  words  which  man's  wifdom  teacheth,  by  the 
moft  refpe6:able  affembly  of  mortal  men.  As  it  is, 
it  is  commended  to  the  only  wife  God  our  Saviour, 
praying  he  would  pleafc  to  accompany  it  with  the 
enlightening  influences  of  his  holy  fpiritto  thofe  who 
read  or  ufe  it.     AMEN.  A 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  &c. 


Scripture  Ttutks  and  Precepts. — A  Short  Ca- 
techism," w?Vn  Proofs  ;  drjigned  for  the  ajfijlancc 
offdch  pcrfonsasvjijh  tofrarchtheScKi?TUR£i  for  a 
conjijicnt  vino  of  the  Do^lrines  andDuties  contained 
in  them.  With  <2«Appendix,  ccwcernm^ Baptism  ; 
and  a  concluding  Remark  on  the  Lord's  Supper. 

But  their  minds  were  blinded  :  For  until  this  day  remaineth  th» 
fame  Vail  untaken  away,  in  the  readinpj  of  rhe  Old  Teftament  ;  v.hich 
Vail  is  done  away  in  Christ,  *  Corinth,  iii.  i4-  When  it  ftiall  turn 
unto  the  Lord,  the  Vail  flull  be  taken  away,  verfe  i6, 

Qiieftion.  WHA  T  is  the  chief  end         * 

of  man  ? 

Anfwer.   Man's   chief  end    is  to  ColLi.i6.  Toiinxvii.24. 
glorify  God  and  enjoy  him  forever. 

Q.  What  rule  hath  God  given  to 
dircB  us  how  we  may  glorify  and  en- 
joy him  ? 

A.    He  hadi    given   us   in    the 
Scriptures  of  the    Old  and   New- P^-l^  cxix.  9, 105. 
Teitament,  the  only   rule  to  dire6l 
us  how  we  may  glorify  and  enjoy 
him. 

Q.  What  doth  the  Scriptures  prin- 
cipally teach  ? 

A.  They  principally  teach,  what ,/-  •     1 
man  is  to  believe  concerning  God,  Matt.  vii.  12'. 
and  what  God  requires  of  man. 

Q.  What  is  God  ? 

A.  God  is  a  Spirit,  infinite,  cter-  J^J,"  '\Y.-  h* 
nal  and  unchangeable,  in  his  being, 
wifdom,   power,   holinefs,    juftice, 
goodnefs,  and  truth. 

Q.  Are  there  7nore  God^   than 
m}t?  '  '  A.  There 


ii8        A  SHORT  CATECnrSM,  &c. 


Deuteronomy  vi.  4, 


Ifai.  Ixiii.  itf. 
Eph.  i.  3. 
sjohn,  3. 
Cen.  i.  2< 


Cal.  iv.  t. 
A£ls  vij.  59. 
1  Cor.  i.  2. 


John  J.  X*. 
Eph.  i.  5. 


John  i.  I.  and  it-, 

I  Tim.  iji.  16. 

iohn  i.  3. 
leb.  i.  3. 
Coll,  i.  14. 
Eph.  i.  7. 


Gen.  i.  throughout. 
Pfalm  xx.xiii.  9. 


A.  There  is  but  one  only  living 
and  true  God. 

Q.  How  doth  the  only  living  aWd 
true  God  make  himjelf  known  ? 

A.  He  maketh  hiraCelf  known  as 
a  Father  in  Chrift  Jtfus,  who  is  by- 
nature  his  only  begotten  Son,  and 
at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  by  his 
operations  as  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Q.  How  may  I  underjland  your 
exprejfion^  "  ^^ho  i%  by  nature  his  on^ 
ly  begotten  Son  .?" 

A.  Referring  to  the  exprefTion 
of  the  apoftle,  "  When  ye  knew  not 
God,  ye  did  fervice  to  them  that  by 
nature  are  no  g«ods ;"  which  fhews, 
that  the  apoftles  and  firftdifcipleswoiv 
ihipped  Chrift  as  God  by  nature. 

Q.  If  Chrijl  be  the  only  begotten 
Son  of  God,  how  are  believers  called 
the  fons  of  God  ? 

A.  As  having  the  adoption  of 
children  by  Jefus  Chrift. 

Q.  What  further  evidence  is  there 
that  Jefus  Chrijl  is  God  by  nature  ? 

A.  When  he  took  on  him  our 
nature,  thereby  taking  the  human 
nature  into  union  with  himfclf,  God 
was  manifeft  in  the  flefh  ;  creation, 
providence  and  redemption,  being 
attributed  to  him  ;  in  which  the  e- 
tcrnal  purpofe  of  God,  according 
to  the  counfel  of  his  own  will,  for 
his  own  glory,  is  executed. 

Q.  What  is  the  work  of  creation  ? 

A.  The  work  of  Creation  is  God's 
fpeaking  all  things  into  being,  by 

the 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  &c.  319 

the  word  of  his  power,  in  the  fpace 
of  fix  days,  and  all  very  good. 

Q.  How  did  God  create  man  ? 

A.  In  the  image  of  God  created 
he  him,  male   and  female   created  Gen.  i.  27,  and  v.  3. 
he  them,  and  he  bleffed  them,  and 
called  their  name  Adam. 

Q.  What  ard  God's  works  of  Pro- 
vidence ? 

A.  His  works  of  providence  are, 
his   mod  holy,  wife,  and  powerful  Matt.  x.  29,30, 3IJ^ 
preferving  and   governing  all   his 
creatures,  and  all  their  aclions. 

Q.  Whatfpecial  aEt  of  providence 
did  God  exercife  towards  man  in  the 
Jlate  wherein  he  was  created  ? 

A.  When  God  created  man,  he 
gave  him  a  tcft  of  his   obedience,  Gen.  ii.  17,  and  111.3. 
forbidding  him  to  eat  of  the  tree  of 
knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  upon 
pain  of  death. 

O.  Did  our  firjl  parents  continue 
in  the  Jlate  wherein  they  were  crea- 
ted ? 

A.  Our  firfl:   parents   fell  from  _      ...  , 
the  itate  wherem  they  were  created  Rom.  v.  u, 
byfmning  againft  God. 

Q.  What  is  fin  ? 

A.  Sin  is  the  tranfgreffion  of  the  ^  J^^"  '"•  ^ 
law  of  God. 

O.  Did  all  mankind  fall  in 
Adams  firfi  tranfgrejfon  ? 

A.  By  one  man,  fin  entered  into  ^^^  ... 
the  world,  and  death  by  fin,  fo  death  Rom.  v,  12! 
palfed  upon    all,  for  that  all  have 
iinned,  being  included  in  the  one 
as  their  head. 

Q.  Inta 


320        A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  <Src. 

Q.  Into  what  ejlate  did  the  fall 

bring  mankind  ? 

Rom.  vlil.  2i,  &  iii.  i5.      A.  Into  a  ftate  of  fin  and  mifery, 

*  Q.  Did  God  leave  all  mankind  to 

^erijli  in  the  Jlate  of  Jin  and  mfery} 

A.  God  having,  out  of  his  mere 

good  pleafure,    made   known   die 

myftery  of  his  will,  which  he  hath 

.  purpoled  in  himfelf,    that,   in    the 

p-i-9*i»-  difpenfation  of  the  fulriefs  of  time, 

he  might  gather  together   in  one, 

Eph.  ii.  i2»  ^  things  in  Chrift,  hath  manifeftcd 

that  he  hath  not  left  them  to  perifli 

in  a  ftate  of  fin    and  mifery,    but 

hath  brought  them  into  a  ftate   of 

falvation  in  a  redeemer. 

Q,  Did  Jefus  Chrifl^  thus  taking 
our  nature,  as  our  head,  accomplifJi 
our  redemption  ? 

A.  He  was  made   of  a  woman, 
(^!.  iv.  4,5.  made  under   the   law,   to   redeem 

them  that  were  un^r  the  law  :  tak- 
ing ouf  nature  into  union  with  him* 
felf,  the  law  took  hold  of  him  as  our 
furety,  and  was  fully  fatisfied,  by 
his  perfeft  obedience  to  the  will  of 
God,  and  his  one  facrifice  (which 
was  witneffed  in  his  refurretlion.) 
^^      .  Thus  he  hath  appeared  to  put  away 

©hap.  IX.  », »(?.         ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^  facrifice  of  himfelf;  and 

by  his  own  blood;  he  entered  into 
_  the    holy    place,  having  obtained 
eternal  redemption. 

Q.  How  are  we  made  partakers 
of  the  redemption  which  is  in  Chriji 
Jefus  P 
I  Cor.  ii.  10,  II,  12.  A.  By  the  efFeaual  application 

if  to  to  us,  by  his  Holy  Spirit. 

Q.  How 


A  SHORt  CATECHtSM,  &c.         321 

^.  How  doth  the  Spirit  apply  this 
Y'tdemption  to  us  ? 

A.  By  taking   of  the   things  of 
Chrift,  aod  fliewing   them   to   us, 
enai)liiTg  us  to  perceive  the  certain  ^*^^"  ^v**  *4»  ^S' 
evidences  of  the    truth  teftificd  of 
him,  as  our  Lord  and  Saviour.  .     . 

Q.  Hozo  doth  the  Spirit  Jhezt;  to 
ns  that  Jcfus  is  the  Lord  ? 

A.  By  fatisfying  our  minds  of 
the  truth  of  the  Scriptures,  wherein 
this  is  made  manifelt,  and  fubjefting 
them  to  his  authority ;  for  no  man 
can  fay  that  Jefus  is  the  Lord  but  i  Cor.  xii.  3. 
by  the  Holy  Ghoft. 

Q.  How  doth  the  Spirit  fiew  to 
us  that  Jefus  is  the  Saviour  ? 

A.  By  enlightening  our  'minds, 
to  underftand  the  types,  prophefies,  Aitsxiifai. 
priefthood,  and  facrificesof  the  Old 
Teftamcnt,  to  center  and  have  their 
complete  fulfilment  in  the  prieft- 
hood and  facrifice  of  Chrift,  the  Heb.  ix.  7—12. 
Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  the 
fin  of  the  world ;  fo  as  to  caufe  us, 
with  fatisfaO-ion  of  mind,  to  look  to, 
and  reft  in  him,  as  our  complete 
and  only  Saviour. 

Q.  Wliat  benefits  do  they  that  are 
taught  of  God  to  knew  Jefus  Chriji^ 
cs  their  Lord  and  Saviour^  partake 
of  in  this  life  P 

A.  They  that  believe  that  Jefus" 
Chrift  is  their  Lord  and  Savio.ur,do 
in  this  life  partake  of  juftification,  ^o™:."'-  26,  aj. 
adoption,  and  fan6lification,  and  the  Adsxv.  9." 
fcveral  benefits  which  in  this  life  do 
accompany  or  flow  from  them. 

S  f  O.  What 


322        A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  Sec. 

Q.  What  is  jujlijication  ? 
A.  Juftification  is  a  freedom  from 
condemnation,  by    the  fatisfaftion 
^^.°''.-.7- 21.  of  law.  and  juftice,  even  by  Jefus 

■*'  Chrift,  who  hath  delivered  us  from 

the  curfe  of  the  law,  being  made  a 
curfe  for  us.  Or  thus  ;  juftification 
is  an  a8;  of  God's  free  grace,  where- 
in he  pardoneth  all  our  fins,  and 
accepteth  us  as  righteous  in  his  fight, 
only  for  the  righteoufnefs  of  Chrift, 
imputed  to  us,  and  received  in  be- 
lieving. 

Q.  What  is  adoption  ? 
A.   Adoption   is  of  God's   free 
Gal,  iv.  4, 5.  gracc  in  Chrift  Jefus,  in  whom  we 

are  received  as  children,  heirs  of 
God,  ahd  joint  heirs  with  Chrift. 

Q.  What  is  thefpirit  of  adoption^ 
as  7'eceived  by  us  ? 

A.   The  fpirit  of  adoption   is  the 
right  underftanding  and  firm  belief 
Rom.Tui.  15,  of  our  union  with  Chrift,  and  fon- 

ihip  m  him,  whereby  we  are  en- 
abled to  call  God  in  Chrift  our 
Father. 

Q.  What  is fanB: if.  cation  ? 

A.  Our  fantlification,  as  well  a^ 

adoption  and    juftification,    is  in 

J  Cor.  i.  33.  Chrift,  who  is  made  to  us  of  God, 

fanQification,  who,  that   he   might 

]  fan6lify  the  people  with   his  own 

Hcb.  xui.  12.  blood,  fufFered  without  the  gate. 

Q.  What  is  the  difference  between 
fanUif  cation  and  jnff  cation  ? 

A.  Juftification  conveys  the  idea 
of  our  being  furniflied   with  a  righ- 
teoufnefs 


i 


A  SHORT  CATFXHISM,  &c.         323 

teoufnefs  which  the  law  demands, 
which  we  have  in  Chrift  Jefus,  who 
of  God  is  made  unto  us  rigli^teouf- 
nefs.  Sanftification  leads "  to  the 
idea  of  that  purification  we  ftand 
in  need  of  in  our  ftate  of  pollution 
and  defilement,  by  our  difobedi- 
encc,  which  we  have  in  Chrift  Je- 
fus, who  faid,  "  Lo  I  come  to  do 
thy  will ;"  by  the  which  will  we  are 
fanclified,  through  the  offering  of  ^^^'  ^'  9>  '•- 
the  body  of  Jefus  Chrift  once. 

O.  What   are  the  benejits  which 
in  this   life  do  accompany^    or  floio 
from  jujlijication^  adoption  andfanc- 
tification  ?  •   . 

A.  The  benefits  that  accjpmpany 
or  flow  from  them,  are  aflurance  t  1  • 
of  God's  love,  peace  of  confcience,  Rom.  v.  /,  u! 
joy  in  the  Holy  Ghoft,  increafing 
in  the  knowledge  of  the  grace  which 
is  in  Chrift  Jefus,  as  their  only 
hope  to  the  end. 

O.  What  benefits  do  believers  hope 
for  from  Chrijl  at  their  death,  and 
in  the  refurreBion  ? 

A.  That   he   may  be  with  them 
through  the  dark  valley  of  the  (ha-  ?¥"^  ''?•'"•  4»  6. 
dow  or  death,  and  that  they  may  be  i  Theff;  iv.  17. 
with  him  to  behold  his  glory. 

Q.  What  is  the   duty   which  God 
requires  of  man  ? 

A.  Theduty  which  God  requires 
of  man,  is  obedience  to  his  reveal-  *     "^'  ''^'  ^*' 
ed  will. 

O.  What  did  God  reveal  to  man^ 
as  the  rule  of  his  obedience  ? 

A.  God 


224        A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  Sec. 

A.  God  gave  to  the  children  of 

Ifrael,  from  mount  Sinai,  wrote  on 

Exodus  %Tt.  .  two  tables,  the  ten  commandments, 

comntonly  called  the  moral  law. 

Q.    In  ike  fourth  commandmeni, 

^  thus  delivered  to  Ifrael,  the  feventh- 

day  fahhath  is  enjomed  ;   how  doth 

it  appear,  that  believing  Gentiles  arc 

freed  from  it  ? 

A.  They  were   never  under  it : 
-.,..-  Neither  did  Jefus  Chrift,  who  is  the 

Xukevi".  5.*  Lord  of  the  fabbath,  in  any   of  his 

^t  Epiftlt fotScaU  expofitions  of  the  law,  or  his  exhor- 
tations  to  the  people,  enjoin  it  up- 
on them,  nor  any  of  his  Apoflles  afn 
ter  him  ;  but  fufficiently  fhew,  that 
it  was  jiot  the  defign  of  the  gofpel 
to  bring  Gentile  believers  under  the 
law. 

Q.  The  law  of  the  feventh-day 

fabbath  is  a  portion    of  Scripture^ 

and  is  it  not  for  our  learning,  on 

whom  the  ends  of  the  world  is  come  ? 

A.  Yes,  verily  !  it  was  given  for 

a  fign  to  the  children  of  Ifrael,  that 

Exod.  xxxi.  13, 1 6, 17.  they  may  know  that  I  am  the  Lord 

that  doth  fanftify  them  ;  therefore 

it  leads  us  to  the  thing  fignified  by 

that  fign. 

Q.  What  is  fignified  to  us  therC" 
hy  ? 

A.  It  leads   to  the   Lord,  that 
doth  fan6lify   both  them   and   us, 
even  Jefus  Chrift,  who  is  made  to 
I  Co/,  i.  30.  us  of  God  fanftification. 

Q.  How   doth  the  fabbath  point 
to  Chrifl  ? 

A.  It 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  Sec.  3^$ 

A.  It  was  a  perfeQ.  reft,  in  com- 
piemoration  of  the  creation,  when 
God  reftcd  from  all  his  works  of 
creation,  becaufe  they  were  very 
good,  pointing  to  and  centering  in, 
the  tiniflied  work  oi"  redemption, 
producing  the  new  creation,  in  ^^^'  ^^'  »*• 
which  we  are  created  anew  in  Chrift 
Jefus. 

Q.  What  authority  have  tvc^fro^n 
the  New  Tejiaincnt,  to   conclude  the 
fabbath  thus  applies  to  Chrijl  ? 

A.  The  fabbath  is  mentioned  as 
the  fhadow  of  things  to  come,  but  ^^^  ..  ^^ 
the  body  is  Chrift ;  in  the  fhadow, 
they  w'ere  to  do  no  manner  of  work, 
becaufe  in  iix  days    God  ^fiiiifhed 
the  work    of  creation,  and  refted 
the     feventh  :     In    the   fubftance, 
Chrift  Jefus  havingfinifhedthe  work  ifai,  xi.  10. 
of  redemption,  we  are,  through  the  Jfafxi!; '  ^f '  *'* 
whole  of  this  gofpdl  day,  to  reil;  in  Matt.  iii.  17. 
it,  becaufe  in  it  the  Father  is  well 
ple^fed  ;  as  complete,  that  nothing 
can  be  added  by  us,  any  more  than 
to  work  of  creation,  to  which   our 
attention  is  particularly  called,  on 
the  ftrft  day  of  the  week. 

O.  What  warrant  have  ChriJVs 
dijciplesfor  obferving  the  firjl  day 
of  the  zueek  ? 

A.  It  was  the  day  on  which  le-       •       , 
fus  Chrift  Fofe  from  the  dead,  which  ^"'^  ^"'-  ^'-'""'"S. 
evidenced  the  completion  oi  the 
work   of  redemption ;  on  that  day 
he  appeared  to  his  difciples  the  firft 
and  fecond  time ;  the  firft  publick  joimxx.  13, 26. 

tneeting 


325 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  &c. 


Afts  ii.  beginning. 


Lev.  xxiii.  ir. 
Lev.  xxiii.  36. 
John  vii.  37. 
Numb.  vi.  10. 
Lev.  xiv.  10,  23. 
Lev.  ix.  X,  30. 


meeting  of  the  Apoftles  and  firO; 
difciples  was  on  that  day,  viz.  the 
day  of  Penticoft,  which  was  the 
morrow  after  the  Jewifh  fabbath  ; 
and  from  that  day,  ever  after,  they 
met  on  the  firft  day  of  the  week  ; 
and  the  obfervation  of  the  firft  day 
of  the  week  has  ever  fmce  been  in 
praclife,  down  to  our  day. 

Q.  Was  there  any  type  of  this 
change  under  the  OM-TeJlamenit 
difpenfation. 

A.  The  firft  fruits  were  offered 
on  the  morrow  after  the  fabbath  ; 
the  eighth  day  was  the  great  day  of 
the  feaft  of  tabernacles  ;  the  Naza- 
rite  was; accepted  on  the  eighth  day ; 
the  cleanfed  leper  Vv^as  to  bring  his 
offering  for  cleanfing  on  the  eighth 
day.  After  Aaron,  the  Jewifli  high 
prieft,  and  his  fons  had  been  confe- 
cratcd  feven  days,  the  offering  for 
them  and  the  people,  was  on  the 
eighth  day;  when,  in  token  of  ac- 
ceptance, fire  came  out  from  before 
the  Lord,and  confumedthe  offering; 
all  pointing  to,  and  entering  in  the 
antitype  of  thefe  offerings  and  pu- 
rifications. Their  being  offered 
on  the  eighth  day,  appears  to  point 
to  the  refurreftion  of  Jefus  Chrift, 
the  manifeftation  of  his  acceptance 
as  our  high  prieft  and  purifier ;  and 
in  his,  we  have  the  witnefs  of  our 
acceptance,  juftification,  fanftifica- 
tion  and  redemption  :  And  by  be; 
lieving,  we  enter  into  the  reft  he 

hatk 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  &c.  327 

hath  entered  into,  as  our  head;  and 
arc  partakers  of  an  holy  fabbath 
kept  through  time  and  eternity. 

Q.  Whal  doth  the  obfervation  of 
the  Jirjl  day  of  the  week  imply  ? 

A.  Though  mukitudes  obferve 
it  from  tradition,  without  under- Jpl»n  i^.  43. 
{landing,  yet  it  is  plain  to  thofe  who 
underdand,  that,  in  the  nature  of  it, 
it  implies  a  belief  that  Jefus  is  the 
Chrift,  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 

Q.  How  ought  {he  difciples  of 
Chrifl  to  condiiB  in  the  obfervation 
of  this  day  ? 

A.  By  endeavouring  to  acquaint 
them felves  with  the  Scriptures,  that  , 

teftify  of  the  chara6ler  and  finifhed 
work  of  Chrift,  and  fhew  the'import 
of  his  refurredion,  that  they  may 
with  undcrftanding,  celebrate  it  with 
joy  and  thankfgiving,  and  by  meet- 
ing together,  to  worlhip  God  in 
Chrift  ;  to  hear  of  his  glory,  and 
fing  of  his  grace  and  mercy,  and  to 
break  bread,  in  remembrance  of  ^as  xx 
him,  in  imitation  of  the  firft  difciples 
in  the  primitive  churches. 

Q.  What  rule  is  given  tobelieiiing 
Gentiles^  under  the  New-Teftament 
difpenfation  ? 

A.  Jefus  Chrift  hath  fummed  up 
the  moral  law  in  thefe  words, "  Thou  Matt.  xxu.37,38,3f,4». 
ftialt  love  the  Lord  thy  God,  with 
all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  foul, 
and  with  all  thy  mind.  This  is  the 
firft  and  great  commandment,  and 
the  fecond  is  like  unto  it,   "  Thou  Luke  x  27     » 

{halt 


328  A  SHORT  CATECl-ilSM,  kz, 

fiialt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyfelf^ 
On  thefe  two  hang  all  the  law  and 
the  prophets." 

O.  How  is  this  undcrjlood  ? 
A.  To  love  God  with  all  the  heart, 
z  JoJia  v.-  ji.  ^^\\\  exclude  any  other  God,  and  ex- 

cite to  worfliip  him  in  Chrifl  Jcfus, 
which  isto  worlhiphim  in  fpirit  and 
truth,  to  reverence  his  name,  and 
*  obferve  his  inftitutions.  To  love 
our  neighbour  as  ourfelves  will  ex- 
cite honour,  duty  and  refpe6t  to  ma- 
,  giflrates,  parents  and  fuperiors,  and 

prevent  hatred,  malice,  murder,  for- 
nication, adultery,   theft,  falfe  wit- 
nefs,  and  covetoufnefs.  Love  work- 
j^   .     ...  ^  eth  no  ill  to  his  neighbour,  there* 

fore  love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law. 
Q.  What  doth  the  preface  to  the 
ten  commandment S',  delivered  to   If- 
rael  at  mount  Sinai^  teach  us  ? 
A.  The  preface,  which  is,  "lam 
Sxod.  XX.  2.  the  Lord  thy  God,  "which    brought 

thee  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  and 
out  of  the  hpufe  of  bondage,  teach- 
eth  us,  that  becaufe  God  is  the  Lord 
and  our  God,  and  Redeemer,  there- 
fore we  are  under  the  higheft  obli- 
Ifai.  xhy.  23.  gations  to  obedience  to  him." 

O.  Is  any  man  able    to  keep  the 
commandments  of  God  ? 

A.  No  mere  man,  fince  the  fall 
^       .         ....       is  able,  in  this  life,  perfeftly  to  keep 

Gen.  VI.  5,  and  vm.  21.    ,  '  ,  c    A    Ji       \^  \. 

Matt.  XV.  II.  the   commanuments  or    God,    but 

doth  daily  break  them,  in  thought^ 
word  and  deed. 

Q.  Where 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  ^c,  ga^ 

Q.  Where  is  then  our  hope  ? 

A.  If  any  man  fin,  we   have   an 
advocate  with   ^he    Father,    Jefus  *  John  a.  i, 
Chrift'the  righteous ;  and  he  is  the 
propitiation  for  the  fins  of  the  apof- 
tles  and  believers  ;  and  not  only  for     j  ^i    "\ 
them,  but  for  the  whole  world.    He  ,  john,'  iu.  /. 
was  manifefled   to   take    away  our 
fins ;  and  in  him  is  no  fin. 

Q.   How  are  the  believers   of  this 
Gojpelto  conduU  themf elves  ? 

A.  They  are  to  manifeft  their 
gratitude  by  a  thankful,  cheerful  Pfalm.  1.  23. 
obedience  to  his  will,  attending  to 
his  word  and  inftitutions,  with  pray- 
er for  his  grace,  that  they  may  adorn 
the  doarine  of  God  their  Saviour,  P^""'  '*  ^7- 
by  a  converfation  becoming  the  Gof- 
pel. 

Q.  How  is  the  word  to  be  attend- 
ed to  Jot  this  end  ? 

A.  The  reading  and  preaching 
of  the  word  is  to  be  attended  with  qqi  j-j  ,5^ , 
diligence,  that  we  may,  by  a  grow- 
ing acquaintance  with  the  grace 
therein  exhibited,  be  more  and 
more  acquainted  with  our  obliga- 
tions to  the  duties  therein  enjoined 
upon  us,  in  every  relation  and  cir- 
cumftance  of  life. 

Q.  What  are  the  injlitutions    of 
the  Ncxv-Tefiament  ? 

A.  The  inftitutions  of  the  New-  Matt,  xxviii.  19. 
Teftament    have  been    commonly'    o^- '"^  »«» a4>  aii3». 
called  baptifm  and  the  Lord's  fup- 
per. 

T  t  Q,  What 


33^  A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  Sec, 

Q.  What  is  baptifm  ? 
,  A.  The  New-Teftament   fpeaks 

^^  '•  -5*  of  John's  baptifm,  and  the  baptifm 

of  Chrift. 

Q.  What  is  John's  haptifm  ? 
A.  John,    as  the  forerunner  of 
Chrift,  baptized  with  water,  calling 
Matt,  ni-  jr.  ^^  people  to  repentance  of  every 

Afts  xix.  4.  expectation  of  falvation  from   the 

obfervation  of  the  law,  or  from  any 
fuppofed  fuperiority  one  over  ano- 
ther, by  ftri6l  attention  to  it  ;  full 
falvation  being  in  the  MelTiah,  for 
all,  without  diftinBion  ;  for  John 
verily  baptized  with  water,  faying, 
"To  the  people,  that  they  fhouid 
believe-on  him  that  Ihould  come 
after,  that  is  Chrift  Jefus." 

Q.  What  is  the  baptifm  ofChriJl  ? 
Q.    There   is   the  baptifm  that 
Chrift  was  baptized  with,  and  the 
baptifm  wherewith  he  baptized. 

O.  What  is  the  baptifm  that  Chrifl 
was  baptized  with  ? 

A.  That  of  which  he  fpakc,when 
Luke  xii.  50.  lie  faid,  «  I  have   a   baptifm  to  be 

baptized    with    ;  and    how  am    I 
ftraitened until  itbeaccompliflied;" 
in  which  he  fpake  of  his  agony  and 
Mark  x.  "9.  death,  that  he  tells  the  fons  of  Zeb- 

edee  they  fhouid  partake  in. 

Q.  How  is  that  to  be  undcrflood  ? 

A.  By  that  union  which  was  ma- 

Tohn  xU.  3»«  nifefted  in  his  drawing  all  men  un- 

2   Cor"v?  H'  ^°  h\m^  when  he  was  lifted  up,  and 

tafting  death  for  every  man ;  fo  that 

when  one  died  for  all,  all  died. 


Q.  What 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  &Q,  331 

Q.  WHai  evidence  have  we  of  this, 
feeing  it  was  fpoken  only  to  the  fans 
of  Zebedee  ? 

A.  The  Apoftle  appears  to  have 
it  in  view,  whert  he  fpeaks  of  being 
buried  with  him  in  baptifm,  and  Col.  ii.  11. 
fays,  "  Know  ye  not,  that  fo  many  '  ^' '' 
of  us  as  were  baptized  in  Jefus 
Chrift,  were  baptized  into  his  death," 
as  being  coniidered  in  him  in  his 
fufFerings  and  death,  and  partakers 
of  the  benefit  of  it. 

Q.  Why   -was  J  ejus  Chrijl  hapti^ 
zed  with  water  in  John's  baptifm  ? 

A.  He  gave  the  anfwer  to  John, 
«  Thus  it  becometh  us  to   fulfil  all  Matt.  in.  xj. 
righteoufnefs,"  fpeaking  as  the  head,  M^^"'  v.  18. 
and  intimating  his  relation  to  the 
people.     This  took  place  under  the 
law  difpenfation  ;  and  Jefus  Chrift 
being  made  under  it,  that  not  one 
jot  or  tittle   of  the   ceremonial,  as        '  '"*  ^^ 
well  as  the  moral  law,  fhould  fail ; 
thus  fulfilled  the  righteoufnefs  of  it, 
and  had  this  teftimony  by  a  voice 
from  Heaven,  "  This  is  my  belov- 
ed Son,  in  whom  I  am  wellpleafed;"  john  i.  33. 
and  was  thus  evidenced  to  John  to 
be  he  that  fhould  baptize  with  the 
Holy  Ghoft. 

Q.  What  was  the  baptifm  whert'- 
toith  he  baptized  ? 

A.  John  fays,  "  I  indeed  baptize  Aas  i.  4,  s. 
with  water,  but  he  fhall  baptize  you 
with  the  Holy  Ghoft  ;"  and  Jefus 
told  his  difciples,  before  his  afcen- 
fion,  "  Ye  ftiall  be  baptized  with 
the  Holy  Ghoft."  Q,  What 


335        A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  Sec. 

Q.  What  is  intended  by  being  lapr 
tized  with  the  Holy  GhoJ  ? 

A.  Baptizing  with  the  Holy  Ghoft 
immerfes  the  mind  in  the  doBrine 
of  Chrift,  fo.as  to  perceive  the  evi- 
»  Peter  iii.ii,  dence  of  the  truth   and  the  fulnefs 

of'  the  falvation  exhibited  in  the 
Qofpel,  freeing  from  condemnation, 
and  furnilliing  the  anfwer  of  a  good 
confcience  towards  God,  by  the  re- 
furreftion  of  Chrift. 

Q.  What   may  be  underjlood  hy 

Luke iiilnV    '  '^^^ P^Jf^^S^^  where  mention  is  made 

of  Chriji  baptizing  with  the  Holy 
Qhojl  and  with  fire  ? 

A.  Fire  communicates  light  and 
heat,  refines  gold  and  filver,  and 
confumes  every  thing  that  is  fuel 
for  it )  fo  the  baptifm  of  the  Hdy 
Ghoft  both  enlightens  the  mind  to 
underftand  the  doctrine  of  Chrift, 
and  warms  the  heart  with  gratitude 
dnd  joy,  under  a  fenfe  of  the  ex- 
ceeding riches  of  the  grace  thereir^ 
made  manifeft,  and  gives  a  lively 
hope  of  deliverance,  in  due  time, 
from  all  the  defilement  that  cleaves 
to  us;  and  that  every  thing, where- 
Mai.  iii.  3.  ^ith  we  are  ericompafled  through 

Matt^iii.  i"~  the.  temptations  of  Satan  and  the 

weaknefs  of  the  flefli,  as  wood,  hay, 
ftubble,  tares  or  chaff,  fhall  be  en- 
tirely feparated  from  us,  by  him 
who  hath  his  fan  in  his  hand,  and 
will  thoroughly  purge  his  floor,  and 
gather  the  wheat  into  his  garner, 
and  burn  up  the  chaff  with  un- 
quenchable fire,  [For 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  Sec.  S38 

[  For  further  thoughts  on  Baptifnj, 
fee  the  Appendix.] 

Q.  What  is  the  Lord's  Supper  ? 

A.  The  Lord's  Supper  is   an  in- 
llitution  of  Chrift,  wherein  his  love 
is  brought  to  remembrance,  in  ga- 
thering together  the  whole  purcha-  ^  ^'^'^-  ^'''^  ^'h 
ffed   poffeffioh  into  one,  in  himfelf, 
as  the  many  grains  are  gathered  in- 
to one  bread,  or  the  many  grapes 
into  one  ^ip^l^is  body  being  given,  l,,j,„,;;.  19,  ». 
and  his  blood  ihed,  not  only  tor  his  John  vi.  32>  ii- 
immediate  difciples,  but  for  the  life 
of  the  world  ;    and   his   difciples 
breaking  bread  and  drinking  wine, 
in  remem'!^ ranee   of  him,   hereby 
fhew  forth   to  the  world  their  fatii^ 
fa6lion  in,  profefTed  fubjeQion  to, 
and  dependence  upon,  a  crucified,  ^  ^°'^'  *'*  ^^' 
rifen  Saviour,  as  th^ir  only  hope  of 
eternal  life. 

Q.  Who  among  the  finful  chil- 
dren of  men  may  he  encouraged  to 
partake  in  the  Lord's  Supper  ? 

A.  Every  deftitu^e,  loll,  guilty 
creature,  that  fees  enough  in  the 
perfecl  character  and  finifhed  work 
of  Chrift,  as  witneffed  in  his  refur- 
reftion,  for  his  complete  falvation, 
and  the  falvationof  the  whole  world, 
and  profelfes  hearty  fubje6lion  to 
him. 

Q.  What  is  required  of  thnn  that 
zuould  -worihily  partake  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  ? 

A.  The  Apoftle  faith, «  Let  a 
Tpan  examine    himfelf,  an^  fo   let  '  C°"'^^^'-  '''•  »«- 

him 


334  A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  Sec, 

him  eat  of  that  bread,  and  drink  of 
that  cup." 

O.  Whai  in  particular  is  a  ruart 
to  examine  himjelf  about ^  in  order 
thereto  ? 

A.  Our  examination  refpcQs 
ourfelves  and  others. 

Q.  How  doth  it  refpeU  ourfelves  ? 

A.  Our  iniquity  is,  whether  \vc 
difcern  ourfelves  as  members  of  the 
Lord's  body,  fo  that  our  hope  of 
eternal  falvation  is  built  entirely  on 
what  Jefus  Chrift,  as  our  head,  has 
wrought  for  us  in  his  life,  finiflicd 
in  his  death,  and  witnefled  in  his 
refurreBion,  exclufive  of  any  fup- 
pofed  perfonal  excellency  in  our- 
felves ;  which  is  examining,  whcth» 
er  we  are  in  the  faith, 

Q.  Doth  not  our  examination  re- 
JpeB  our  praBice  ? 

A.  Yes;  we  have  to  examine, 
t  Cor.  X.  14,  ai.  do  I  underftand  that    partaking  in 

the  bread  and  cup,  is  a  voluntary 
profeflion  of  my  obligation  to  flee 
,      . ,  every   departure   from    the   Lord, 

particularly  to  be  on  my  guard 
againft  every  of  thofe  things  which 
occafioned  the  overthrow  of  the 
children  of  Ifrael  in  the  wildernefs, 

Q.  How  doth  our  fclf-examma-. 
Hon  refpeB  others  ? 

A.  As  Chrift  is  the  head  of  every 

JohnxU.  32".  man, drew  all  men  unto   him,  and 

tafted  death  for  every  man,  we  are 

to     inquire,     whether    we  difcern 

Heb.  H.  9.  every  man  as  members  of  Chrift 

(though 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  Set,  %z^ 

(tViough  not  yet  brought  into  fub- 
jetlion  to  him)  as  well  as  ourfclves,  Heb.  ii.  s. 
io  that  we  can  remember  and  com- 
memorate the  love  of  God  in  Chrift 
to  the  whole  human  race  in  faith^ 
that}  according  to  the  myftery  of 
his  will,  which  he  hath  made  known, 
according  to  his  good  pleafure,.  he  . 
will,  in  the  difpenfation  of  the  ful-  ^  •  '•  9»  ^  *. 
nefs  of  times  gather  together  all 
things  in  Chrift,  without  which  we 
fhall  eat  and  drink  to  our  own  felf- 
condemnation,  not  difcerning  the 
Lord's  body,  but  encouraging  our- 
felves  from  fome  other  quarter  than 
that  God  was  in  Chrift,  reconciling 
the  world  to  himfelf,  not  imputing 
their  trefpalTes  unto  them. 

[That  you  may  fee  how  the  above 
anfwers  are  drawn  from  ift  of  Co- 
rinthians, X.  and  xi.  chapters,  fee 
the  Conclufion.] 

Q.  What  is  to  be  underjlood  by 
ihe  condefcending  action  of  jfefus 
Chrijl^  in  ■waJJiing  his  difcipks  fett  ? 

A.  There  appears  a  literal  and 
fpiritual  meaning  in  that  tranfa6lion; 
literally,  it  teaches  the  difciples  of 
the  Saviour  to  be  ready  to  attend  to 
every  office  of  kindnefs  one  to  an- 
other ;  to  be  ready  to  wafh  one  an- 
other's feet,  whenever  there  fiiall  be 
an  occafion  for  it,  fo  as  to  be  an  aft 
of  kindnefs.  The  apoftle  mentions  john  xlli.  from  verfe  4. 
it  as  a  good  work,  lOgether  with  re>  *  "^'"i-  v-  f-^- 
lieving  the  afflided, 

Q.  V/hat 


33$  A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  &:C, 

Q.  What  inJlriiBions  are  hereh^ 
conveycd^asthcfpiritual  meaning  of 
that  tranfaBion  ? 

A.  The  firfl  thing  that  calls  our 
Phill.  iK6,  7.  attention  is  the  inconceivable  con- 

defcenfion  of  Him,  who,  being  ill 
the  form  of  God,  thought  it  not  rob- 
bery to  be  equal  with  God,  but 
made  himfelf  of  no  reputation,  and 
took  uponhim  the  form  of  a  fervant, 
and  manifefted    it   by  taking  the 

♦ft  Sam.  XXV.  41.  ,  r        r  .  •  n  •         u- 

place  01  a  lervant  m  walhing  his 
lervants'  feet,  who  he  taught.  Ex- 
cept they  were  waihed,  they  had  no 
part  in  him. 
■  Q.  Why  u)a%  the  feet  only  wafied  ? 
A.  Jefus  Chrift  gave  Peter  the 
anfwer,  He  that  is  wafhed,  needeth 
not,  fave  to  wafh  his  feet,  but  is 
clean  every  whit  ;  the  tempter  was 

Gen.  uL  15.  ^^  bruife  the  heel,  the  human  na- 

ture ;  And  when  the  pfalmift,fpeak- 
ing  in  the  perfon  of  Jefus,  as  en- 

?lalm  xUx.  5  compafTed  with   our  tranfgreflions, 

calls  them  the  iniquities  of  my  heels, 
the  head  of  every  man  not  needing 
Avafhinff,  being  holy,   harmlefs  and 

Q.  What  further  inJlru6lions  have 
Tve  herein  ? 

A.  That  nothing  but  his  wafliing 
can  cleanfe  us. "  If  I  wafli  thee  not, 
thou  haft  no  part  iti  me."  Our  de- 
filement is  fo  deep,  that  neither  our 
tears,  repentance,  reformation,  nor 
Zech.  xlii.  t.  ^"7  "Works  of  our    own,    can   ever 

»  '     wafh  it  away  ;  nothing  fhort  of  the 

fountain 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  &c,  337 

fountain  opened  in  Chrift  Jefus  to 
purify  from  iin  and  uncleannefs. 

Q.  Why  is  the  Chrijiian  falutation 
Jo  oj ten  enjoined  on  the  firji  churches^ 
called  HOLY.  «*  Greet  ye  one  another 
•with  a  HOLY  kifs"  ^°I^'  ^vi.  16. 

.       y  -'r  1  r  rL  I  Cor.  xvi.  jo. 

A.  It  may  refer  to  that  pertect  ad  cor.  xiii,  12. 
holinefs  that  is  made  manifeft  in  the 
embrace  of  mercy  and  truth, righte- 
oufnefs  and  ppace  in  Chrift  Jefus  ; 
and  to  that  purity  wath  which  the 
difciples  of  Chrift  ought  to  falute 
one  another,  as  partakers  therein,  p^-^j^^  ixxxv.  to* 
and  to  diftinguifh  it  from  all  others. 

Q.  How  is  it  to  be  dijlinguijhed 
from  all  others  ? 

A.  As  the  giving  a  cup  of  cold  Markix.  4i' 
water  in  the  name  of  a  difciple  is 
diftinguifhed  from  the  giving  one 
merely  from  civil  courtefy,  viz.  be- 
caufe  ye  belong  to  Chrift,  it  is  re- 
fpedto  Chrift,  andto  his  difciples 
for  his  fake,  that  diftinguiftics ;  which 
refpeft  being  exercifed  about  the 
boundlefs  grace  of  the  Gofpel,may 
be  called  love  ;  and  when  this  falu- 
tation is  performed  from  love  to  ' 
Chrift,  and  his  difciples  for  his  fake, 
it  may  be  called,  in  the  language  of 
Peter,  "  The  kifs  of  charity."  '  ^^^^''^'  '♦' 
Q.  How  is  that  direBion  in  James 
V.  14,  to  be  under  flood,,  that  Jpeaks 
of  anointing  thejick  with  oil,  m  the 
name  of  the  Lord  ? 

A.  It  appears  to  have  refpeft  to 

jniniculous  healing;  the  prayer  of 

hithf/iall  fave  the  fick,  even   the 

faith  that  Paul  perceived  in  the  im-  Afta  xlv,  9. 

U  u  potent 


338        A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  Sec. 

potent  man  at  Lyftra,  who  had  faith 
to  be  healed  ;  and  it  is   mentioned 
with  calling  out  devils,  as  what  was 
Mark  vi.  jj.  done  by  miraculous  power. 

Q.  What  is  prayer  ? 

Rom.  viii.  ^6.  ,  ^'  ^^^X^^  ^^  ^"  ofFering  up  of 

Kph.  vi.  i8.  thole  defires  to    God,  for   things 

agreeable  to  his  will,  that  are  excit- 
ed in  us  by  his  Spirit,  in  the  name 
of  Chrift,with  confeffion  of  our  fins, 
and  thankful  acknowledgment  of 
his  mercies. 

Q.  What  rule  hath  God  given  for 
our  direUion  in  prayer  ? 

,,        .  A.  Every  part  of  the  fcripture  is 

Matt.  VI,  9—15,  ^rr.jo.         •  u. 

•*  or  uie  to  direct  us  in   prayer,   but 

the  fpecial  rule  of  direftion   is  that 

form  of  prayer  which  Chrift  taught 

his  difciples,  commonly  called  the 

Lord's  prayer^ 

Q.  As  there  are  different  appre- 

henfons  in  the  minds  of  Chrijiians 

about  the  Lord's  prayer^  fome  fup- 

poji^ig  it  was  defgned  only  for  the  uft 

of  the  difciples  during  the  days  of  his 

humiliation^  and  had  its  accomplifh- 

Tiient  in  the  death,   refarre^ion  and, 

afcenfon  of  Chrifi,  and  the  gift  of 

the  Holy  Ghojl  ;  who  take  notice  of 

this  prayer  by  giving  thanks,   that 

thy  kingdom  is  come,  and  thy  will  is 

done  in  Chrijl  Jcfus,  and  that  we 

have  this  G  of  pel-day  our  daily  bread^ 

^c.     Others  look  upon  it  as  a  form 

fiilltobe  ufed  by  C hr if  s  difciples   : 

Mow  then  is  it  a  rule  of  direUion  in 

prayer  ? 

A.  It 


A  SHORT  CATECHISM,  ^c.  33^ 

'  A.  Itisarule  ofdire£lionto  both, 
to  pstttern  after  ;  for  thofe  that  be- 
lieve it  was  fulfilled  in  Chrift,  muft  ^eb.  ii.  ?. 
know  that  while  we  fee  not  yet  all 
things  put  under  him,  there  are  yet 
glorious  things  to  be  accomplifhed 
concerning  his  kingdom,  until  the 
feventh  angel  foundethjand  the  king- 
doms of  this  world  become  the  king- 
doms of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Chrift, 
and  he  ftiall  reign  forever  and  ever,  ^^'  ^^'  '^' 
And  thofe  who  conftantly  ufe  this 
form,  muft  know  that  Jcfus  hath 
glorified  the  Father's  name,  that  his 
kingdom  come,  or  was  made  fully 
manifeft,  after  the  Holy  Ghoft  was 
given  on  the  day  of  Pentecoft,  his 
will  bcingdoneinhim;thereforeitis 
necelTary  that  the  ufe  of  this  prayer 
Ihould  be  with  underftanding  ;  and 
to  each   fentiment,  it   is  a  rule   of  "'' 

direftion  in  prayer. 

Q.  What  doth  the  preface  of  the 
Lord's  prayer  teach  us  ? 

A.  The  preface  of  the  Lord's 
prayer,  which  is,  "  Our  Father  who 
art  in  Heaven,"  teaches  us,  in  union 
with  Jefus  Chrift,  to  draw  near  to  Gal.  iv.  6. 
God  with  all  holy  reverence  and 
confidence,  as  children  to  a  father, 
able  and  ready  to  help  us,  and  that 
wc  fhould  pray  with  and  for  others. 

Q.  Hoiv  are  the  feveral petitions 
to  he  ufed  as  our  dire^ion  in  pray- 
er ? 

-  A.  Every  thing  we   are  direfted 

t©   pray   for,   in   the  Scriptures,  is 

comprehended 


^40         A  SHORT  eATECHISMj  Sec. 

comprehended  in  the  glory  of  the 
Divine  Name,  the  advancement  of 
his  kingdom,  and  his  will  being 
done  in  earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven, 
in   our   being  fupplied  with  daily 

Phill.iv.fi.  bread,  by  being  enabled  daily  to 

feed  on  the  bread  of  life,  trufting 
in,  and  looking  to  him  for  the  ne- 
ceffary  fupport  of  the  outward  man ; 
the  forgivenefs  of  trefpaffes,  from 

^       .  him  who  hath  power  to  forgive  fins, 

*  '*  "  °  and  our  being  bleffed  in  him,  with 

an  ability  to  forgive  thofe  that  tref- 
pafs  againft  us,  being  kept  from 
temptation,  and  delivered  from  tlu 
evil  one,  may  comprehend  all  wr 
are  direfted  to  pray  for. 

Q.  What  doth   the  coT^cluJion  ol 
the  Lord's  grayer  teach  us  ? 

A.    By   the    conclufion  of  the 

Matt.vi.  x$.  Lord's  prayer,  which  is,  "  For  thine 

is  the  kingdom,  the  power,  and  glo- 
ry, for  ever.  Amen,"  We  are  taught 

r  to  take  our  encouragement  in  pray-. 

^, ,       ..  er  from    God   only,   and   in    our 

Obadiahai.  prayers    to  praile   him,  afcribmg, 

kingdom,  power  and  glory  to  him;; 
and  in  teftimony  of  our  defires  and 
affurance  to  be  heard,  we  fay,  Ameri. 


APPENDIX. 


!K 


APPENDIX. 


W  HILE  the  law  difpenfation  lafted,  JeFus 
Chrift,  who  was  made  under  it,  is  faid,  to  make  and 
baptize  more  difciples  than  John,  tliough  Jefus  him- 
lelf  baptized  Aot,  but  *Az5  difciples;  John  hearing 
this,  faith,  He  muft  increafe,  but  I  mud  decreafe,  in- 
timating, that  his  baptilm  was  to  go  out  by  decreafe, 
and  that  the  baptifm,  that  was  to  take  place  after  the 
afcenfion  of  Chrift,  muft  increafe,  which  was  the 
baptifm  of  the  Holy  Ghoft :  which  Jefus  told  his 
difciples  to  tarry  at  Jerufalem  for  ;  and  while  they 
were  there  afiembled,  the  Holy  Ghoft  came  upon 
them  ;  and  according  to  his  proniife  to  them,  that 
he  ftiould  take  of  mine,  and  fliew  it  unto  you,  they 
received  a  clear  underftanding  of  the  doclrine  of 
Chrift,  and  power  to  be  his  witncftcs  at  Jerufalem  ; 
and  as  many  as  gladly  received  the  word,  were  bap- 
tized ;  if  by  gladly  receiving  tlie  word,  is  to  be 
iinderftood,  a  clear  underftanding  of  the  truth  of  the 
Ap.oftles  doftrinc,  fo  as  to  gain  full  credit  in  their 
minds,  enabling  them  to  count  all  things  lofs  for  the 
excellency  oFthis  knowledge,  their  minds  being  im- 
merfed  in  the  doftrine  of  Chrift,  they  were  baptized 
with  the  Holy  Ghoft  ;  which  was  the  baptifm  the 
Apoftles  and  believers  were  tarrying  at  Jerufalem 
for,  according  to  the  direction  given  them  by  jefus 
Chrift  before  his  afcenfion;  and  when  we  conilder 
three  thoufand  were  added  in  one  day,  it  is  difticult 
to  conceive  that  fo  many  could  in  one  day  be  bap- 
tized with  water. 

It 

*  A  learned  a^ed  perfon  has  affured  me  that  he  had  in  his  youth 
an  ancient  Greek  Teflament  (the  lols  of  which  lie  kniented)  in  whidi 
this  pafTaoe  is  thkis  reiid,  *♦  Tnoush  Jefus  Uiiiilelf  baptized  not,  but 
diicipled,'* 


342  APPENDIX. 

It  is  true,  v;e  have  two  pafTages  that  exprefsly  fpeak 
of  baptizing  with  water  after  the  afcenfion,  viz.  Phil- 
lip b;!ptizing  the  Eunuch,  and  Peter  at  CorneHus's 
houfe  :  and  it  alfo  feems  probable  that  Paul  baptized 
Crifpus  and  Gaius,  and  the  houfehouldof  Stephanus, 
with  water  ;  but  he  thanked  God  that  he  baptized  no 
other  ',  (which  makes  it  very  likely  that  the  difciples 
Paul  found  at  Ephefus  were  not  baptized  with  water 
by  him  ;  if  they  had  been,  it  would  make  a  greater 
number  than  he  had  fpoken  of,  for  the  men  were  a- 
bout  tweive,  who,  when  they  heard,  were  baptized 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jefus  :)  For,  faith  he,  Chrift 
fent  me  not  to  baptize,  but  to  preach  the  Gofpel.  It 
is  probable,  he  might  not  at  firft  fo  fully  underftand 
Lis  commiilion,  as  John's  baptifm  was  to  go  out  by 
decreafe,  the  like  may  be  faid  of  Peter,  who,  though 
he  faid  at  the  houfe  of  Cornelius,*  Who  can  forbid 
water  that  thefe  fliould  not  be  baptized,  who  have  re- 
ceived the  Holy  Ghoft,  yet  after,  in  one  of  his  epif- 
tles,  faith,  baptifm  doth  now  fave  us,  not  the  putting 
away  the  filth  of  the  flelh,  (which  is  ail  water  can  do) 
but  the  anfwer  of  a  good  confcience  towards  God,  by 
the  refurreftion  of  Chrift. 

However,  thofe  who  think  themfelves  bound  to*.; 
praBice  water  baptifm,  muft  know,  if  they  do  it  un- 
derftandingly,  that  it  can  be  no  more  than  a  vifiblc 
profeffion  of  chriftianity,  and  they  ought  to  beware 
of  the  error  that  puts  it  in  the  place  of  Chrift  Jefus, 
as  neceflkry  to  falvation,  w^hich  has  fo  far  prevailed, 
as  to  caufe  parents  to  mourn  as  without  hope,  if  any 
thing  prevented  the  baptizing  of  a  child  before  its 
death,  who  would  have  had  no  anxiety  if  the  child  had 
been  baptized,  as  if  the  falvation  by  Jefus  Chrift  was 
incomplete,  till  finiihed  by  the  aBions  of  his  crea- 
tures. But 

*  In  ^he  fame  Greek  Teftament  this  pafTage  is  thus  read,  '*  Can  any 
man  difpute  about  water  baptifm,  feeing  thefe  have  received  the  Holy 
Ghoft  as  well  as  we,  and  he  commanded  them  to  be  enrolled  among 
the  difciples.'» 


APPENDIX.  343 

But  it  may  be  faid,falvation  appears  conneftedwith 
baptifm,  in  Mark  xvi.  i6,  "He  that  believeth,  and  is 
baptized,  fliall  be  faved ;  and  he  that  believeth  not 
Ihall  be  damned."     If  this  is  underftood  of  the  bap- 
tifm of  Christ,  it  is  eafy  and  plain  to  conceive,  that 
when  the  mind  is  baptized  in  the  do6lrine  of  Christ, 
and  finds  full  reft  in  his  perfeft  work  and  facrifice,  as 
witneffed  by  his  refurreftion,  as  its  complete  and  on- 
ly falvation,  or  finds  the  anfwer  of  a  good  confcience 
toward  God  by  the  refurreftion  of  Christ,  that  it  is 
freed  or  faved,  from  the  fearful   expe6lation  of  the 
curfe  of  the  law,  juftly  due  as   a  tranfgreflbr  ;  while 
he  that  believeth  not,  remains  under  that    fenfe  of 
condemnation,  which  cannot  be  removed  but  by  the 
belief  of  the  Gofpel, 


CONCLUSIOxN- 


wfmtM 


CONCLUSION. 


IxOUIRiNG  for  the  meaning  of  the  apoftlc 
h\  the  exhortationj  Let  a  man  examine  himfelf,  and 
fo  let  him  eat  of  that  hread,  and  drink  of  that  cup — I 
find  the  apoftle  in  the  tenth  chapter  of  the  firft  of 
Corinthians,  taking  notice  of  the  Ifraehtes  who  were 
baptized  into  MofcvS,  in  the  cloud,  and  in  the  fea,  and 
did  all  cat  the  fame  fpiritual  meat,  and  did  all  drink 
of  the  fame  fpiritual  drink,  for  they  drank  of  that  fpi- 
ritual rock  that  followed  them,  and  that  rock  was 
Chrift.  But  with  many  of  them  God  was  not  well 
pleafed,  for  they  were  overthrown  in  the  wildernef;, 
and  mentions  them  as  our  example,  to  the  intent  we 
fhould  not  luft  after  evil  things,  as  they  alfo  lufted  ; 
and  when  he  had  gone  over  thofe  things  which  proved 
their  overthrow  in  the  wildernefs,  he  fays,  "  Where- 
fore, my  beloved,  flee  from  idolatry  ;  the  cup  of 
blefling  which  we  blefs,  is  it  not  the  communion  of 
the  blood  of  Chrift  ;  the  bread  which  we  break,  is  it 
not  the  communion  of  the  body  of  Chrift  ;  for  we  be- 
ing many,  are  one  bread,  and  one  body,  for  we  are 
all  partakers  of  that  one  bread  ;"  as  if  an  attendance 
on  the  Lord's-fupper,  in  its  native  fimpHcity,  was  a 
moft  efficacious  call  from  idolatry,  and  from  every 
fpecies  of  the  above-mentioned  errors  of  the  children 
of  Ifrael.  Being  all  partakers  of  that  one  bread,  why 
fhould  it  not  fatisfy,  and  fave  us  from  murmuring  un- 
detevery  difpenfation  of  providence?  why  fhould 
we  tempt  Chrift  ?  being  difcouraged  becaufe  of  the 
way,  by  loathing  what  he  provides  for  us,  (who  is  our 
manna,  our  daily  bread  ;)  the  realizing  that  we  are 
one  bread,  and  of  the  one  body,  that  our  bodies  arc 
the  temples  of  the  Holy    Ghoft,  fliould  ever  excite 

us 


CONCLUSION.  345 

V's  to  fiee  fornication,  and  not  to  take  the  members  of 
Chrift  and  join  them  to  a  harlot;  and  that  finglcnefs 
towards  Chrift,  which  partaking  of  the  Lord's-fupper 
\vc  are  called  to,  which  calls  us  oif  from  idolatry,  for, 
faith  the  Apoftle,  ye  cannot  drink  the  cup  of  the  Lord, 
and  the  cup  of  the  devils ;  ye  cannot  bepartakersof  the 
Lord's  table  and  the  tables  of  the  devils.  This  com- 
pared with  the  rebuke  he  gives  to  the  Corinthians, 
in  the  next  chapter,  for  their  condu6l  when  they 
came  together ;  for  one  taking  before  another  his 
own  fupper,  and  one  is  hungry  and  another  is  drunk- 
en, looks  as  if  they  had  fiid  into  theirformer  praClices 
in  their  ftate  of  Gentilifm  (that  was  then  in  pratlice 
among  the  Gentiles)  and  called  it  the  Lord's  flipper. 
Even  as  the  feait  made  to  the  golden  calf,  was  by 
Aaron  called  a  feaft  to  the  Lord,  when  the  people 
fat  down  to  eat  and  drink, and  rofeup  to  play.  The 
Apoflle  t«ils  them,  this  is  not  to  eat  the  Lord's 
fupper  :  for  which  condu6t  he  could  not  praife  them ; 
and  then  to  call  them  off  from  fuch  conduQ.,  carries 
their  minds  to  an  attention  to  it,  as  he  had  received  of 
the  Lord,  which  he  backs  with  the  confideration,  that 
whoever  eats  and  drinks  unv/orthily,  eateth  and  drink- 
eth  judgment  to  himfelf,  or  felf-condemnation,  being 
condemned  of  himfelf  for  not  judging  a  right  of  the 
Lord's  body  ;  for  which  caufe  many  are  weak  arid 
fickly  among  you,  and  many  flecp.  It  is  eafy  to  con- 
ceive of  excefs  in  eating  and  drinking,  together  with 
felfcondenmation  arifing  therefrom,  bringing  on 
weaknefs  and  ficknefs,  &c. 

Therefore,  let  a  man  examine  himfelf,  and  fo  let 
him  eat  of  that  bread,  and  drink  of  that  cnp.  Now 
when  we  confider  the  apoRle  in  the  midft  of  thefe 
things, of  which  we  have  taken  notice  ;  fay  I  .would 
have  you  knov/,  that  the  head  of  every  man  is  Chrift, 
wc  are  taught,  if  the  head  of  f  very  man  is  Chrift, 
then  the  whole  human  nature  are  taken  into  him, 
were  drawn  to  him»  when  he  was  lifted  up,  and  he 
W  w  tafted 


346  C  O  N  C  L  U  S  I  O  N. 

tailed  death  for  every  man,  isthis  my  encouragement, 
as  the  ground  of  my  acceptance,  upon  a  level  with 
the  vilcd  ?  Or  have  I  fome  preference  on  account  of 
fomething  perfonal  that  encourages  me  to  eat  before 
another  my  own  fupper  ?  this  is  not  to  eat  the  Lord's 
fupper  ;  for  in  that  we  being  many,  are  one  bread 
and  one  body  ;  all  former  difference  between  the  fe- 
veral  grains  of  wheat  being  loft  in  one  bread,  fo  all 
diftin&ion  is  loft  in  Chrift  Jefus,  he  being  all  in  all. 
Our  encouragement  being  exclufively  from  him,  pro- 
duces the  higheft  fenfe  of  our  obUgation  to  yield  our- 
felves,  with  all  our  hearts,  to  him  ;  which  is  what  ev- 
ery one  that  attends  on  the  Lord's  fupper,  with  un- 
derftanding,  is  fenfible  of. 

Or,  on  the  other  hand,  do  I,  for  want  of  a  fenfe 
of  the  complete  fulnefs  that  is  in  Chrift,  wifli  for 
fome  other  excellency,  wifti  to  be  like  fome  other 
whom  I  efteem,  as  if  I  fliould  then  have  an  encour- 
agement which  I  could  not  find  exclufively  in  Chrift, 
and  come  to  look  for  it  there, in  order  to  make  one  of 
that  body,  and  to  partake  in  the  one  bread.  The 
Apoftle  fays,  we  are  one  body,  and  one  bread,  for 
we  are  all  partakers  of  that  one  bread. 

Further,  we  may  inquire,  do  I  underftand  the  ob- 
ligation, that  partaking  in  the  bread  and  cup,  I  con- 
fidcr  myfelf  voluntarily  under,  to  flee  every  fpecies 
of  departure  from  the  Lord,  or  the  tendency  of  that 
finglenefs  towards  Chrift,-  with  which  I  fhould  par- 
take in  the  Lords  fupper,  to  caufe  me  to  beware  of 
every  of  thofe  things,  which  occafioned  the  overthrow 
of  the  children  of  Ifrael  in  the  wildernefs. 

Thefe  thoughts  being  perfued,  m  order  to  find  an 
anfwer  to  the  queftion,  what  is  a  man  to  examine 
himfelf  about,  in  order  to  partaking  of  the  Lords 
fupper?  Are  here  inferted,  that  any  one  may  judge 
of  the  propriety  of  the  anfwer  to  that  queftion,  and 
thofe  confequent  upon  it. 

SECTION 


SECTION      XI. 


The  Right  and  Wrong  way,  with  their  T£Nden- 
CY  and  Effects. 

L  HERE  often  arifes  much  perplexity  of  mind 
from  different  apprehenfions  of  feveral  texts  of  i'crip- 
ture,  and  various  cxpofitions  of  them  by  writers  and 
preachers,  who  often  run  counter,  not  only  to  each 
other,  but  fometimcs  appear  inconfiftent  with  them- 
felves,  fo  that  in  attending  to  them,  the  mind  is  ready 
to  figh  out  a  widi,  O  that  I  knew  the  right  way.  It 
is  a  ihort,  but  a  comprehenfive  ejaculation. 

In  order  to  treat  of  it  diftin6tly,  it  may  be   ufeful 
to  fay, 

Fir(t.  There   is  the  way  of  our  acceptance   with 
God. 

Second4y.  The  way  of  our  peace. 
Thirdly.  The  way  of  our  duty,  or  the  way  in  which 
we  ought  to  walk  ;  thefe  are  all  conne8ed,  but  for 
clearer  underftanding,  may  be  confidered  diflin6lly. 
Firft,  For  the  way  of  our  acceptance  with  God, 
Jefus  Chrift  hath  told  us,  /  am  the  xvay  ,  and  the 
apoftle  tells  us,  He  hath  viade  us  accepted  in  the  be- 
loved. Take  fpecial  notice  of  the  fingle  fyllable  m, 
and  it  will  tend  to  help  the  undcrflanding  of  the  paf- 
fage  :  It  is  not  faid  he  hath  made  us  accepted  for  the 
fake  of  the  beloved,  but  in  the  beloved;  if  we  are 
accepted  in  him,  we  are  in  him.  The  human  nature, 
is  confidered  in  the  firft  Adam,  as  their  head  in  the 
tranfgreffion  ;  he  being  the  figure  of  him  that  was  to 
come,  they  are  confidered  in  the  fubftance  of  that 
figure  :  For  as  in  Adam  all  die,  fo  in  Chrift  fliall  all 
be  made  alive,  ift  o^  Corinth,  xv.  22.     The   apoftle 

again 


348       The  RIGHT  and  WRONG  WAY. 

again  makes  it  even  in  Romans  v.  22,  As  Jin  reigned 
unto  deaih,  even  Jo  might  grace  reign  (hroi'gk  rightt- 
Cufnefs^  unto  eternal  life  by  Jejus  Chriji  our  Lord. 

The  head  of  every  man  is  Chrift,  the  human  na- 
ture is  conficlered  in  union  with  him,  as  members  in 
the  head,  as  branches  in  the  vine,  or  as  the  marriage- 
union,  Thy  maker  is  thy  hu/hand,  the  Lord  of  hojis  is. 
his  name,  the  God  of  the  whole  earth  faaU  he  be  called. 
In  vew  of  this  union,  we  underftand  the  particle  m» 
lie  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the  beloved,  which 
agrees  with  the  gofpel  preached  to  Abraham,  In  thy 
feed  piall  all  thefavulies  of  the  earth  be  blejfed.  With 
the  Ixxii  pfalm,  Men  fliall  be  bleffed  in  him.  With 
the  prophet  Jeremiah,  The  nations  Jhall  blefs  them- 
f elves  in  him,  and  in  hini^Jliall  they  glory.  The  pro- 
phet Ifaiah  faith,  The  Lord  laid  on  him  the  iniquities 
of  Its  all,  and  he  appeared  to  put  them  away  by  the 
facrifice  of  himfelf.  The  apoftle  Peter  faith,  He  bear 
our  fins  in  his  own  body  to  the  tree.  The  a^wftJe  Paul 
faith.  He  died  for  our  offences,  and  rofe  again  for  our 
juflification.  Hence  we  arefaid^o  be  juftified  in  him, 
ift  of  Corinth,  vi.  11,  and  as  we  flood  in  need  of 
fan£lification  in  our  ftate  of  pollution,  as  well  as  to 
be  juftified  from  guilt  and  condemnation,  Jefus  Chrift 
is  made  to  us  of  God  fan&;ification.  So  the  apoftle 
fpeaks  of  being  fanBifed  IN  Chrifl  Jefiis.  When 
we  refleci  on  any  fpiritual  bleffings  we  enjoy  or  hope 
for,  we  are  led  to  blefs  the  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  who  hath  bleffed  us  with  all  fpirit- 
ual bleffmgs  in  heavenly  things  in  Chrifl  Jefus ;  and 
if  that  expreflion  fhould  caft  the  eye  of  our  mind  back 
to  the  fountain  from  whence  they  flow,  the  following 
words  will  dire6l:  the  mind  to  the  center — According 
as  he  hath  chofen  us  in  hivi  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world. 

We  are  faid  to  be  chofen  in  him,  to   be  gathered 
together  in  him ;  rooted  and  built  up  in  himj  made  to  fit  to- 
gether 


The  right  and,  WROMG  WAY.       349 

getber  'n\  heavenly  places,  in  Chrijl  Jefiis.  Siuing  is 
a.  porturc  of  reft,- where  we  might  paufe  to  reflect  on 
the  exceeding  riches  of  grace  herein  made  maniiell. 
TUele  confiderations  may  fervc  to  excite  us  to  look 
for  acceptance,  juftilication,  fanclification,  and  all 
Ipiritual  blefliugs,  where  they  are,  and  not  in  our- 
felvcs  where  they  are  not ;  which  would  be  to  fcek 
the  living  among  the  dead. 

What  has  been  offered  may  help  to  an  underftand- 
ing  of  the  woids  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  who  fays^ 
/  am  the  zuay,  no  inan  co-meth  to  the  Father  hut  by  me. 
'Tis  what  is  called  by  the  prophet,  the  old  path,  the 
good  zvay,  referring  to  the  gofpel  preached  to  Adam, 
in  the  feed  of  the  woman;  to  Abraham  hi  thy  feed 
Ihall  all  the  nations  cf  the  earth  be  blcfled.  The 
way  made  known  to  Mofes  and  the  children  of  Ifrael 
in  all  the  lipcii  and  facrifice^i,  under  titat  difpenfation, 
pointing  to,  and  centering  in,  Chrill  Jefus,  called, 
by  the  Pfalmilt,  the  way  everlafting,  bccaufe  the  God 
of  Abraham,  the  God  of  Ifaac,  and  the  God  of  Ja- 
cob, is  his  name  Jor  ever,  and  his  memorial  to  all 
genera/ions. 

When  Jefus,  the  way,  is  made  manifeft,the  Apoftle 
calls  it  the  nezv  and  living  way,  the  way  to  the  holiejl 
of  all,  by  the  blood  of  Jefus  :  Thus  you  have  an^  at- 
tempt to  point  out  the  fcripture  account  of  the  right 
way  of  our  acceptance  with  God. 

Objeftion.  Doth  not  the  fcripture  fpeak  of  re- 
pentance, faith  and  obedience,  as  neceffary  to,  fal- 
vation.  / 

For  anfwer,  I  would  fay,  I  conceive  repentance  to 
be  an  alteration  of  mind  ;  upon  the  manifeftation  of 
a  truth  that  was  hid  before,  as  v.hen  John  preached,, 
repent  ye  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand,  and 
jefus  began  to  preach,  and  to  fay,  Repent  for  the 
kingdom  of  Heaven  is  at  hand,  they  preached  to  the 
Jews  who  were  in  expcBation  that  the  Meffiah  fhould 

have 


350      The  RIGHT  and  WRONG  WAY. 

have  an  earthly  kingdom,  and  fliould   deliver  them 
from  the  Romans,  under  whom  they  were  in  bondage; 
they  are  called  to  alter  their  minds,  it  was  the  king- 
dom  of  Heaven   that  was  at  hand.    After  the  death 
and  refurreftion  of  Chrift,   we  have  no  account  of 
the   Apoftles  repeating   the   fame    exprclfions,   the 
kingdom  was  come,  and   repentance,   and  remijlion 
of  fins,  were  to  be  preached  in  his  name.     To  ufe  a 
fimilitude — Suppofe  a  traveller  to  have  loft  his  way, 
and  yet  knew   it  not,  and  had  progreffed  far  in  a 
wrong  way,   fliould  he  be   overtaken  by  a   faithful, 
flulful  guide,  that  was  able  to  convince  him  that  he 
was  wrong,  had  loft  his  way ;  and  to  fhew  him   the 
right  way,    confequent  on  this  he  would    turn,  un- 
doubtedly grievingjiehad  been  fo  long  loft,  and  had 
gone  fo  far  out  of  the  way. 

Now  it  is  natural  for  the  v^hildren  of  men  univer- 
fally  to  fuppofe  that  fomething  muft  be  v/rought  in 
in  them,  or  done  by  them,  in  order  to  their  accep- 
tance with  God.  Wherewithal  fliall  I  come  be- 
fore the  Lord,  is  the  univerfal  inquiry  of  every 
thoughtful  mind,  if  they  are  convinced  that  burnt 
offerings,  calves,  rivers  of  oil,  yea,  even  the  firft  born, 
will  not  atone  for  tranfgreftion,  nor  the  fruit  of  the 
body  for  the  fin  of  the  foul :  Yet  they  arc  ready  to 
think,  if  I  had  true  repentance,  then  I  fhould  be  ac- 
cepted for  Chrift's  fake.  And  the  inquiry  is,  how 
fhall  I  get  it,  how  fiiall  I  exercife  it,  how  fliall  I  know 
it  is  fincerejhow  indeed  !  until  Jefus  is  known  as  the 
way. 

When  the  mind  is  thus  loft,  looking  for  acceptance 
in  or  from  himfelf  in  a  greater  or  lefs  degree,  it  will 
never  come  to  full  reft  in  the  fincerity  and  up- 
rightnefs  of  his  own  repentance.  What  lack  I  yet? 
will  ftill  diftrefs  the  mind,  and  fometimes  prevail  to 
that  degree  that  is  defcribed,  Job  xxxiii.  19,  He  is 
chaftened  with  pain  upon  his  bed,  and  the  multitude 

of 


The  right  and  WRONG  WAY.      351 

of  his  bones  with  (Irong  pain  ;  fo  that  his  life  abhor- 
reth  bread,  and  his  foul  dainty  meat ;  his  flefli  is  con- 
fumed  away,  that  it  cannot  be  fcen,  and  his  bones 
that  were  not  feen,  ftick  out ;  yea,  his  foul  draweth 
near  to  the  grave,  and  his  life  to  the  deOiroyer. 

Tjie  following  words  appear  to  fliew  the  eife6l  of 
the  good  news  of  the  Gofpel  : — 

If  there  be  a  mcffenger,  an  interpreter,  one  of  a 
thoufand,  to  fliew  to  man  his  uprightnefs,  (namely 
the  uprightnefs  of  Jefus  Chrift  made  manifeli  by  the 
Holy  Spirit,  who  Jefus  Chrill  promifed  to  fend  to 
teftify  of  him,  for  the  fcripture  tells  us  there  is  none 
upright  among  men)  then  he  is  gracious  unto  him, 
and  laith  deliver  him,  for  I  have  found  a  ranfoni. 
The  fatisfadion  of  mind  confequent  hereupon,  is 
manifefted  in  the  following  words.  His  flefh  (hall- 
be  frelher  than  a  child's,  he  (hall  return  to  the  days 
of  his  youth — he  fiiall  pray  unto  God,  and  he  will 
be  gracious  unto  him,  and  he  fliall  fee  his  face  with 
joy.  Thus  have  I  written  of  Jefus  Chrift  as  the 
way  ;  and  of  our  being  accepted  in  the  beloved,'  as 
knowing  we  fhall  always  progrefs  in  the  way  of  felf- 
righteoufnefs,  until  we  are  led  into  the  new  and  living 
way. 

The  like  maybe  faid  of  faith  ;  for  how  fhall  they 
believe  on  him,  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  :  It  is 
a  fruitlefs  bufinefs  to  labour  to  work  faith  in  our 
hearts,  and  excrcife  it,  and  evidence  it  by  obedience 
while  we  are  ignorant  of  the  truth  to  be  believed, 
and  the  evidence  of  it. 

Therefore  have  I  written  of  the  truth  to  be  believ- 
ed, vizi  that  he  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the  belov- 
ed, that  Jefus  is  the  way;  if  this  can  be  evidenced 
to  the  mnid  to  be  a  certain  truth  from  the  fcriptures, 
can  the  perfon  help  believing  it,  and  is  it  poflible  for 
all  the  labour  oTthe  mind,  with  all  the  alfiflance  of 
others,  to  produce  faith,  unlefs  the  gofpel  is  thui 
evidenced  to  be  true.  Thcr? 


352       The  RIGHT  and  WRONG  WA'/. 

There  arifes  another  objeftion  to  what  hath  beffl 
faid,  concerning  our  being  accepted  in  the  belovedc 

The  Apoftle  Peter,  when  he  went  to  Cornelius, 
faid,  I  perceive  that  God  is  no  refpeQor  of  perHjus  ; 
but  in  every  nation,  he  that  feareth  God  and  work-^ 
eth  righteouinefs  is  accepted  of  him. 

For  anfwer  it  may  be  inquired,  who  Is  he  that 
feareth  God,  and  worketh  righieoufnefs ;  was  it  Cor- 
nelius or  Jefus  Chrilt  ?  it  may  be  faid,  that  the  three 
men  who  were  fent  to  Peter,  called  Cornelius  a  juft 
man,  and  one  that  feareth  God  :  That  was  their  opin- 
ion of  him,  and  teftimony  concerning  him.  But 
the  teRimony  of  the  fcripture  concerning  all  man- 
kind is,  they  are  all  under  fin,  there  is  none  righ- 
teous, no,  not  one  ;  there  is  no  fear  of  God  before 
their  eyes,  therefore  Peter  appears  to  have  refpeft 
to  Jefus  Chrift,  as  he  that  feareth  God,  and  worketh 
righteoufnefs,  the  fame  of  whom  ,the  Pfalmifl:  fpeaks 
in  the  112th  Pfalm,  Blefled  is  the  man  that  feareth 
the  Lord.  (The  man  is  the  fmgular.)  This  will  ap- 
pear, 

ift.  From  the  end  for  which  Corneliu.<?  fent  for 
Peter,  which  was  to  hear  words  whereby  he  and  all 
his  houfe  fliould  be  faved.  Atts  xi.  14. 

2dly.  It  appears  from  the  defign  of  the  vifion 
that  appeared  to  Peter,  to  prepare  him  to  go  to  Cor- 
nelius the  Gentile.  The  gofpcl  that  was  to  be  preach- 
ed among  all  nations,  was  to  begin  at  Jerufalem,  and 
the  Apoftles  were  forbidden  at  firfl  to  go  to  the  Gen- 
tiles ;  what  Peter  was  taught  by  the  vifion,  was  that 
he  fliould  call  no  man  common,  or  unclean,  as  the 
Jews  until  then,  looked  upon  the  Gentiles. 

So  then  when  Peter  had  come  to  Cornelius,  and  had 
heard  the  occafion  of  his  fending  for  him,  confirm- 
ing what  he  had  already  been  taught  by  the  vifion, 
he  opened  his  mouth  and  laid,  I  perceive  that  God 
is  no   refpe6tor  of  perfons,   but  in  every  nation  he 

that 


^The  RlGTiT  Ar;D  WRONG  WAY. 


853 


that  feareth  God,  and  Worketh  righteoufnefs,  is  ac- 
cepted of  him,  as  if  he  had  faid,  I  perceive  Jcfus 
Chrift's  perfed  work  is  accepted  in  behalf  of  the 
Gentile,  as  well  as  the  Jew  :  This  is  the  myjiery  thai 
in  other  ages  vjas  not  made  known  to  tJte  fons  of  men. 
As  it  is  now  revealed  to  his  holy  Apoflks  and  Pro- 
phets by  the  fpirit,  that  the  Gentiles  fhould  be  fel- 
low heirs,  and  of  the  fame  body,  and  partakers  of  his 
promife  in  Chrift,  by  the  gofpel. 

3dly.  It  appears  from  Peter  s  preaching  to  Cor- 
nelius— Sec  how  it  proceeds  in  every  nation,  he- 
that  feareth  God,  and  worketh  righteoufnefs  is  ac-  . 
cepted  with  him,  according  to  the  word  which  God 
fent  to  the  children  of  Ifrael,  preaching  peace  by  Je- 
fus  Chrift,  he  is  Lord  of  all.  Read  on  in  Acls  x.  from 
the  36th  to  43d  verfe,  which  clofes  with,  to  him  give 
all  the  prophets.  Witnefs  that  through  his  name, 
whofoever  believeth  in  him,  fhall  receive  the  remif- 
fion  of  fins.  As  he  fpake  thefe  words,  the  Holy 
Ghoft  fell  on  all  them  which  heard  the  word;  the 
Holy  Ghoft  was  not  given  by  the  works  of  the  law, 
but  by  the  hearing  of  faith,  or  the  preaching  of  Je- 
fus.  Now  putting^  thefe  things  together,  the  end  for 
which  Peter  was  f  nt  for,  and  for  which  he  had 
thevifion  preparatory  to  his  going, and  Peter's  preach- 
ing Jefus  to  him,  and  bringing  in  the  evidence  of  all 
the  prophets  to  this  truth ;  it  appears  from  this  paf- 
fage  thai  he  hath  made  us  both  Jews  and  Gentiles 
accepted  in  the  beloved. 

Objection.  Jefus  Chrift  faith,  Except  a  man  be 
horn  again  he  connot  fee  the  kingdom  of  God  ;  of  what 
avail  will  the  work  of  Chrift  be  to  me  unlefs  I  am 
born  again  ? 

For  enfwer  it  may  be   faid,   the    fcriptures  teilify 

of  Chrift  as  the  head  of  every  man,  and  when  we  read 

them  as  teftifying  of  men,  we  have  not  the  key  that 

will  open  them,tothereft>  and  fatisfaftion  of  our  minds; 

X  X  perhaps 


354      The  RIGHT  and  WROJvG  WAY. 

perhaps  this  fcripture  text  has  been  thus  perverted 
as  much  as  any  other  portion,  of  fcripture.  Let  u* 
look  of  the  paffage  : 

Nicodemus   fays,  We  know  that  thou  art  a  teacher 

fentJromGcd^  or  proceeding  from  God  .  Forncmancan 
do  theJe  miracles  that  ihou  doj}^  except  Gcd  be  zu-th 
him*  Jefiisanfwered  and  faid  unto  him  except  feme 
one  were  born  from  above  be  cannot  fee  tlie  king- 
dom of  God,  as  it  is  read  in  the  Greek  Te [lament 
the  words,  A  man  and  again,  are  not  there,  therefore 
it  appears  that  jefus  Chrift  is  fpeaking  of  himlelf  a» 
if  he  had  faid,  you  are  fo  far  right,  Nicodemus,  in 
faying  I  am  a  teacher,  proceeding  from  (Tod,  for  no 
man  can  do  thefe  miracles,  except  God  be  with  him  ; 
for  except  fuch  a  one  were  born  from,  above,  he  can- 
not fee  the  kingdom  of  God.  Here  arifes  a  queftion, 
What  is  the  kingdom  of  God  ?  Let  the  apofile  an- 
fwer.  He  faith  the  kingdom  of  God  is  righteoufneis, 
peace  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghoft.  Now  where  can 
this  be  feen  in  any  man  born  after  the  flefh  ?  The 
current  teflimony  of  fcripture  is,  that  there  is  none 
righteous,  no,  not  one;  they  are  all  gone  out  of  the 
way  ;  there  is  none  upright  among  men.  Hence  ex- 
cept fome  one  be  born  from  above,  he  cannot  lee  tht; 
kingdom  of  God.  As  righteoufnefs,  fo  peace  is  ex- 
clufively  in  him,  for  the  work  of  righteoufnefs  is 
peace^  and  the  eff'eB  of  righteoifnefs  is  guictuifmfsy 
and  ajfurance  fof  ever.  Hence  Jefus  Chlift 
fays — My  peace  1  give  unfo  you,  in  /he  worU  ye  fJjnll 
have  trilulation,  hut  in  me  ye  fliall  have  p<  ace. — And 

.  the  apoftles  preached  peace  by  Jefus  Chrjl.  Hence 
the  fpirit  that  Jefus  Chrift  promifcd  was  to  tePufy  of 
him,  not  to  fpeak  of  himfelf,  or  of  his  own  work  in 
the  hearts  of  men,  perfuadingthem  that  they.are  bom 
again,  that  they  have  a  new  nature,  an  inwrouj^ht 
principle  of  grace  and  holinefs  in  themiei  \  es,  which 
makes  them  not  like  other  men  ;  but  he  fJi all  glorify 
mc,  he  /hall  take  of  mine  and  Jhew  it  unto  you  :  For 
faith  the  apoftle,  No  man  can  fay  that  fffus  is  the 
Lord  but  by  the  Holy  Ghofl,  Nicodem.us 


The  right  and  WRONG  WAY.        35^ 

Nicodemus  not  underftanding  our  Lord,  fpeaking 
of  liimfelf,  faith,  How  can  a  man  be   born  when  be  i$ 
o'd,  can  he   enter  the   fecond  time  into  his  mother'* 
wc!  lib  and  be  born.     Jefus  aniwered,  Verily  verily  t 
Jay  unto  thte^  except  fame  one  he  born  of  water  and  of 
th-  if  rit  he  cannot  tnttr  into  the  kingdom  of  God. 

When  {efus  went  to  John  to  be  baptized  of  him,  he 
fa  id  to  John,  Thus  it  become!  h  us  to  fulfil  all  rights' 
oifatfs;  and  when  he  was  baptized,  went  up  Jlraight' 
way  out  of  the  wa'er,  and  lo  the  heavens  were  opened 
unto  him,  and  he  faw  the  fpirit  of  God  defcending  like 
,«  dov,  a,ad  I  ght  ng  upon  him  ;  and  lo  a  voice  from 
h(avfn,faying.,  this  is  my  beloved  fon  in  whom  I  am  well 
plcafd.  This  was  the  truth  he  heard  of  God,  con- 
firming to  him  the  prophefyinlfaiah  xlii.i,  Preparing 
him  for  his  fading  and  temptations  in  the  wilderneXs, 
and  for  ins  public  miniftry. 

That  wh.ch  is  bornof  the flefh  is  fiejh,  and  that  that 
is  born  of  the  [pint,  is  fpirit  :  That  Jeius  was  born  of 
«hc  fpirit  is  evident  from  what  was  faid  to  Mary,  in 
anfwer  to  her  inquiry,  how  fhall  thefe  things  be,  fee- 
ing I  know  not  a  man  ;  the  angel  anfwered  and  faid 
unto  her,  the  holy  Ghofl  fhall  come  upon  thee,  and  the 
power  of  /he  highefl  fhall  overpiadoto  thee^  therefore 
alfo  that  holy  thing  ihatfliall  be  born  of  thee,  fhall  he 
called  the  Son  of  God,  this  is  the  holy  one  born  from 
above.  John  faith,  verfe  31,  He  that  com eth  from 
above,  is  above  all,  he  that  comcth  from  Heaven  is 
above  all,  and  Jcfus  Chrift  faith  again  in  Johnviii.23. 
I  am  from  above,  'tis  the  fame  word  that  is  tranflated 
again  in  the  3d  verfe. 

Objection.  But  it  is  faid,  verfe  7th,marvel  not  that 
I  faid  unto  you,  ye  (in  the  plural)  muft  be  born  again. 

For  anfwer  it  may  be  remembered  that  the  Apof- 
lle  faith,  the  head  of  every  man  is  Chrift,  he  is  called 
the  fecond  Adam,  the  Lord  from  Heaven ;  and  the 
head  is  not  without  the  members,  nor  the  members 
witiioul  the  head  -,  cither  in  birth,  life,  death,  refur- 

icftion, 


35^         The  RIGHT  and  WRONG  WAY. 

re6lion,  or  afcenfion :   The  Apofile  faitli,  we  arc  his 

wurkmar.liiip,    o^eated  m   Chrijl  Jejus^  when  there-. 

-  fore  we  look  for  the  new  birth  in  ourielvcs,  the  voice 

•.behind  us  points  us  to  Chrift  Jefus,  faying,  this  is  the 

way. 

If  we  would  look  for  marks,  compare  John  i.  12, 
13,  with  ift  of  John,  v.  1,  and  we  have  the  Apofto- 
lick  account  of  this  matter,  He  that  bditvcth  that 
jfefus  is  the  Chrijl  is  born  of  God. 

The  Spirit  blowcth  where  it  li/hth,  and    thou  hear- 
'  ejl  the  found  thereof^  hut  canji  not  tell  whence  it   Com- 
eth^ nor  whether  it  goeth  ;  Jo  is  every  one  that  is  born 
of  the  Spirit,  the  word,  that  is,  is   not   in   the  Greek 
Teftament;  fo  is  every  one  born  of  tlie  Spirit. 

Nicodemus  anfwered  and  f aid  unto  him,  how  can 
theft;  ^hi7igs  be  ?  Jefus  anfwered,  art  thou  a  viafler  in 
Ifrael,and  hiowefi  not  thefe  things  ?  As  if  he  hadfaid, 
do  not  you,  that  are  a  teacher  in  Ifrael,  know  that 
part  of  Ifaiah's  prophefy  that  is  uiliered  in  with  a 
note  of  attention,  Behold !  Behold  a  virgin  fliall 
conceive  and  bear  a  fon,  and  thou  Ihall  call  his  name 
Imanuel,  or  do  you  not  recoiled  the  other  prophe- 
fy of  the  fame  prophet,  unto  us  a  child  is  born,  unto 
MS  a  fon  is  given,  whole  name  is  the  wonderful  coun^ 
feller,  the  mighty  God,  the  everlafting  Father,  the 
Prince  of  peace,  with  the  prophefy  of  Mica,  but  thou 
Bethlehem  Ephratah, though  thou  belittle  among  the 
thoulands  of  )udah,  out  of  thee  fliall  he  come  forth 
to  me,  to  be  ruler  in  Ifrael,  whofe  going  forth  hav? 
been  from  of  oid,  from  everlafting. 

Verily,  verih  I  fay  unto  thee,   we  fpeak  that  we   do 
'know,  and  tcjify  that  which  we  havefeen,  and  ye  receive 
not  our  witnff  ;   if  I  have  told  you  earthly  things,  and 
_ye  believe  not,how  Jliall  ye  believe, if  I  tell  you  of  heaven- 
ly things.     If  I  have   ufed  a   fimilitude  from  earthly 
•things  to  fpeak  of  my  being  born  from  above,andye 
believe  not,  how  ihall  you  believe,  if  I  tell  you  of 

heavenly 


The  right  and  WRONG  WAY.  357 

heavenly  things.  In  what  follows,  to  the  end  of  the 
21ft  verfe,  where  the  account  of  the  converfatioa 
with  Nicodemus  clofes,  unlcfs  you  believe  me  to  be 
born  iVom  above,  how  can  ye  believe  me  to  be  the 
antitype  of  the  brazen  ferpent  or  the  Saviour  of  the 
world. 

Viewing  this  paffage  as  teilifying  of  Chrift,  there 
appears  a  connexion  between  Nicodemus's  addrefs 
and  our  Saviour's  anfwer  to  him,  the  whole  pointing 
to  himfelf  as  tb^  world's  Saviour,  agreeable  to  the 
iapoftles  expreffion,  to  the  praife  of  the  glory  of  his 
grace,  wherein  he  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the  be- 
loved. 

Is  there  not  an  objection  arifing  from  what  has 
been  faid  to  Cain,  If  thou  dnji  wellj  /halt  thou  not  be 
accepiid  ;  but  if  thou  dofi  not  well,  Jin  liith  at  the 
door. 

For  anfwer,  it  may  be  faid,  that  Abel  offi^red  the 
jfirilling  of  the  flock,  and  (/t  the  fat  thereof,  pointing 
to  the  one  facrifice,  the  Lamb  of  God,  that  taketli 
away  the  fin  of  the  world.  The  apoftle  fays,  by  faiih 
Abel  offered  a  more  acceptable  facrifice  than  Cain, 
which  Ihew  that  he  looked  to  be  accepted  in  the  be- 
loved. 

Cain  being  very  wroth  that  his  oiTcring  was  not 
accepted,  which  is  mentioned  before  Abel's,  was  thus 
anfwercd,  and  in  that  anfwer  the  gofpel  appears  to  be 
preached  to  him.  If  thou  doft  not  well,  lin  lieth  at 
the  door  :  If  we  inquire  who  is  the  door,  Jefus  him- 
felf gives  the  anfwer,  I  am  the  door,  by  me  if  any  man 
enter,he  (liall  be  faved(any  man  not  excluding  Cain.) 

The  paffage  goes  on,  and  his  defire  (viz.  the  defire 
of  Jefus  the  door)  fhall  be  unto  thee,  and  thou  fhalt 
rule  over  him.  Chrift's  defire  was  unto  Cain,  though 
the  fame  fpirit  that  influenced  Cain,  ruled  over  him, 
or  prevailed  to  put  him  to  death  ;  his  <iefire  was  to- 
wards them  that  were  thus  influenced,  cxprefled  '\\\ 

his 


358      The  RIGHT  and  WRONG  WAY. 

bis  prayer,  Father  forgive   them,  for  they  know  not 
what  they  do. 

Having  thus  confidered  the  objeQ:ions  to  the  firft 
head,  the  way  of  our  acceptance  with  God,  let  us 
proceed  to  confider 

2dly,  The  way  of  our  peace.  The  prophet  Ifaiah 
faith,  the  chajlifement  of  our  peace  was  upon  himy 
Neither  /hall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  removed,  faith 
the  Lord,  that  hath  mercy  on  thee  ;  the  apoftle  faith, 
he  is  our  peace,  and  they  preached  peace  by  Jefus 
Chrifi,  he  hath  made  peace  by  the  blood  of  his  crofs ; 
that  being  an  unfhaken  truth,  that  can  never  fail ;  as 
true  if  we  do  not  believe  it,  as  if  we  do  ;  yet  it  puts 
no  man  in  poffeflion  of  peace  in  his  own  mind  and 
confcience,  until  the  gofpel  that  reports  this  truth  is 
believed  ;  the  things  of  our  peace  are  written  that 
we  might  believe,  it  is  believing  we  have  life  through 
Jiis  name.  Life  and'  peace  are  fo  conne&ed,  that  we 
cannot  enjoy  life  without/peace  ;  hence  it  is  faid,  we 
zvhich  have  believed  do  enter  into  refl.  The  apoftle 
fpeaking  of  Chrift  dying  for  our  fins,  and  rifing  again 
for  our  juftification,  adds,  Therefore,  being jufijied^ 
hy  faith  or  beliving  this  truth,  lue  have  peace  with 
God  through  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrfl. 

gdly.  For  the  way  in  v/hich  we  fhould  go  : 
Negatively,  it  is  not  to  make  otir  peace  with  God, 
that  is  made  by  the  blood  of  the  crofs. 

When  any  that  vifit  the  fick  and  dying,  afk  them 
whether  they  have  made  their  peace  with  God,  and 
exhort  them  to.it  immediately,  they  do  not  appear 
to  be  meflengers  of  peace,  a  meffenger  of  peace  would 
rather  comfort  a  diftreffed  {inner,  by  bringing  to  his 
view,  all  we  likefheep  have  gone  aflray,  and  the  Lord 
laid  on  him  the  iniquities  of  us  all ;  he  zaas  wounded 
for  our  tranfgre[jions,  he  was  bruifed  for  our  iniqui- 
ties  ;  the  chajlifement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him,  and 
hy  hisfiripes  we  are  healed  ;  when   -we  were  without 

flren^thj 


The  right  and  WRONG  WAY.        359 

Jlrengthf  to  make  our  peace,  Ckr.^  died  fer  thr  un- 
^odly. 

Pofitively  it  is  to  attend  to  tlie  will  of  God  ir> 
Chrift  Jefus,  revealed  in  the  fcriptures;  and  as  man 
cannot  be  profitable  to  God,  we  can  render  him  nct» 
things  but  thankfgiving;  therefore  he  hath  dire6ted 
us  to  manifeft  our  gratitude  to  him,  by  our  conduct 
one  to  another.  Hence  it  is  emphatically  included 
in  what  is  called  the  new  commandment,  that  ye  love 
one  another <i  as  I  haved  love  you,  this  is  my  command- 
ment, that  ye  love  one  another.  The  exercifc  of  itj 
is  direfted  by  that  precept,  Therefore  all  things  whai^ 
Jo  ever  ye  -would  that  menjliould  do  unto  you^  do  ye  even 
fo  to  them,  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets :  There- 
fore, wherefore  becaufe  your  heavenly  father  is  more 
ready  to  give  good  things  to  them  that  afk  him,  than 
earthly  parents  are  to  give  bread  to  their  children. 

Love  thus  directed,  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neighour, 
Thanfgiving  includes  every  exercife  we  are  called  to. 
Prayer  has  its  foundation  in  Thankfgiving,  that  there 
is  a  new  and  living  way,  by  which  we  draw  nigh  to 
God,  that  it  is  faid,  that  if  any  among  you  are  afflifted, 
let  him  pray  that  we  are  allowed -in  every  thing  by 
prayer  and  fupplication,  to  make  known  ourrequefts 
to  God,  is  always  ground  of  thankfgiving  :  Faith  and 
repentance  are  infeparable  from  thankfgiving.  The 
gofpel  being  believed  true,  will  fill  the  mind  with  joy 
and  thanklgiving.  The  difcovery  of  the  right  way 
to  a  loft  travcller,\vill  fill  his  mind  with  joy  and  thankf- 
giving, Hiingled  W'iih  grief  and  Ibrrow  for  his  progrefT. 
ing  fo  far  in  the  contrary -path. 

If  any  a8.  of  obedience  is  performed,  it  is  from  this 
quarter  :  Every  afct  of  benevolence,  that  is  righily  per* 
formed,  is  a  thank-offering  to  the  Lord. 

If  a  number  of  difciples-^at  and  drink  together  in 
remembrance  of  the  dying,  rifing  Lord,  what  is  it  but 
a  fcafon  of  thanklgiving ;  thus. I  think  the  whole   of 

the 


o 


60        The  right  and  WRDNG  WAY* 


the  exercife  of  piety  towards  God,  may  be  included 
in  thankfgiving,  which  is  a  grateful  conimemorauon 
of  his  love  and  mercy,  that  promotes  an  attention  to 
the  obfervation  of  his  will,  'which  hath  been  before 
faid  to  be,  that  we  love  one  another  ;  Love  one  to 
another  includes  thatfellowfliip  we  have  one  with  ano- 
ther, in  drawing  nigh  to  God  in  CbrifV,  in  expreffions 
of  thankfgiving,  and  in  a  benevolent  care  to  perform 
thofe  mutual  good  offices  we  may  have  an  oportunity 
for,  or  are  called  to  one  to  another. 

It  may  be  ofufe  after  having  meditated  on  the  way 
ofouracceptance,thc  way  of  peace  and  the  way  v/herein 
wefhould  go,  toremarktheconfequencesof  goingout 
of  the  way,  or  to  meditate  on  the  wrong  way.  The  wife 
man  faith,  the  way  of  tranfgrelTors  is  hard,  and  we 
read  in  the  89th  pfalm,  which  is  fpoken  prophetically 
of  Jefus  Chrifl,  ?/*  his  children  foi-fake  my  law ^  and 
walk  not  in  7ny  Jlatutes^  I  will  vijit  their  tranfgrejjion 
with  a  rodf,  and  their  iniquities  withjiripes^  nevcrthe- 
lefs  my  loving  kindnefs  will  I  not  take  from  him,  nor 
fuffer  my  faithfulnefs  to  Jail  :  The  loving  kindnefs 
fliall  not  be  taken  from  him,  from  Chrift  Jefus,  yet  if 
his  children  forfah'*  my  law,  I  will,  there  is  the  word 
of  truth,  for  it  I  will  vifit  their  tranfgrelTions  with  a 
rod, and  their  iniquities  with  ftripes,  the  rod  andftripes 
follow  tranfgreffion,  as  the  ihadow  follows  the  fub- 
ftance.  To  inftance  in  our  firft  parents,  after  tranf- 
greffion they  hid  themfelves,  were  afraid  becaufe  they 
were  naked  ;  fear,  fliame  and  nakednefs  were  the 
confequence,  never  could  they  recover  the  robe  of 
innocence  by  ali  the  figleaves  they  could  few  together, 
but  muft  forever  have  remained  naked,  had  not  the 
Lord  God  cloathed  them.  . 

Suppofe  you  or  I  had  never  told  a  lie,  but  were 
innocent  in  that  refpeft,  upon  our  being  once  guilty, 
it  were  impofTible  to  recover  that  robe  of  innocence, 
we  (hould   be  immediately  expofed  to  feif-condem- 

nation, 


The  right  and  WRONG  WAY.       361 

nation  which  as  flripes  with  a  rod,  would  diftrefs  our 
minds  vvith.fliame  and  remorfe,  when  ever  we  re- 
flefted  on  the  nature  and  aggravationsof  fuch  an  evil. 

Suppofe  our  covetoufnefs  prompts  us  to  overreach 
and  de-fraud  our  neighbors,  that  v/e  might  get  unjuil 
gain,  what  a  fource  of  trouble  and  diilrefs  fiiould  we 
open  on  our  own  minds  ?  Perhaps  in  time  of  temp- 
tation, we  think  of  no  other  difficulty,  than  what  anf- 
es  from  the  hiding  it  from  the  knowledge  of  thofe 
whom  we*  may  deceive  ;  and  are  nst  afraid  of  being 
harraffed  by  the  refldtlions  of  our  own  minds.  We 
do  not  mean  to  worry  oarfelves  about  fuch  matters ; 
but  purpofe  to  divert  them  from  fuch  gloomy 
thoughts:  But  riper  age,  ficknefs,  or  unavoidable 
wakefulnefs  in  the  night,  which  we  are  exppfed  to, 
will  bring  on  thinking,  whether  we  will  or  no  :  Or  the 
meeting  with  Ibmething  fimilar  from  others,  may 
force  coavittion  on  our  minds,  when  we  are  ready 
loudly,  to  fay  what  they  deferve  :  Or  heavy  lofles 
anddifappointments  in  bufinefs^,  may  force  the  mind 
to  inquire,  if  they  are  not  providentially  ordered  as 
a  rod  and  flripes  for  thus  going  aflray.  It  is  laid, 
that  the  cliildren  of  Ifrael,  when  from  time  to  time 
they  were  carried  into  captivity,  not  only  brought  to 
remenlbrance  later  tranfgrefTions  againfl  the  law  of 
God,  but  were  ready  to  fay,  there  was  an  ounce  of 
the  golden  calf  in  all  their  affliftions. 

Whe,n  Jofcph's  brethren  were  in  affli6lion  in  E- 
gypt,  what  they  had  done  many  years  before,  afflict- 
ed their  minds  in  fuch  a  manner,  that  they  couUlnot 
keep  it  in,  but  faid  one  to  another,  We  are  verily 
guilty  concerning  our  brother^  in  that  wefdxv  the  an- 
guijh  nf  hiS  Jyal^  when  he  bifought  us,  and  rue  ivould 
not  hea-,  therefore  is  all  this  evil  cojne  upon  us.  They 
had  doubtlefs  been  under  the  rod  and  firipes  for  the 
fuccceding  years,  while  they  endeavored  to  conceal 
their  condutl  towards  their  brother.  How  much  ach- 
Y  y  of 


362       The  right  and  WRONG  WAY. 

ing  of  heart  they  endured?  what  fear  lead  they  fhouM 
be  found  out  ?  What  a  fenfe  of  ingratitude  and  difobe- 
dience  they  labored  under,  which  they  concealed  ? 
But  now  from  home  the  rod  and  ftripes  came  fo  hea- 
vy, that  they  could  not  help  crying  out  in  Efflfpt  un- 
der the  fmart.  Thus  we  fee  the  tendency  ow  going 
a  fide  from  the  rule  of  doing  to  others,  as  we  would 
they  fliould  do  unto  us. 

If  we  were  to  take  notice  of  the  tendency  of  every 
vice,  every  ftep  out  of  the  right  way,  we  might  fee  the 
above  connexion  between  erring  from  the  way,  and 
the  confequent  forrow  and  affliction. 

The  confequences  of  Intemperance,  are  often  made 
manifeft,  both  in  the  bodily  health  and  outward  ef- 
tate  of  thofe  of  us,  who  unhappily  indulge  ii'k  thofe 
excefles  ;*  thefe  are  vifible,  while  the  reflexions  of 
our  own  minds  may  be  almoft  intolerable  to  our- 
felves,  though  we  may  labour  to  conceal  them  from 
others.  \  -    ^.   ', 

If  we  fhould  rcfle6l  on  the  tendeifcy  of  debauche- 
ry, it  would  open  afield  of  diftrefling  confequences, 
which  would  ferve  to  illuftrate  the  truth  of  the 
apoftles  expreflion.  He  that  committeth  fornication-, 
finneth  againfthis  own  body  :  As  well  as  that  of  the 
wife  man,  and  thou  mourn  at  the  laft,  when  thy  flefii 
and  body  is  confumed.  .  , 

Thus  taking  a  view  of  the  different  ways,  we  fee 
the  tendency  of  each.  The  path  of  the  juft  one,  is 
as  a  rifing  light,  which  fliines  more  and  more  unto  the 
perfeQ;  day,  while  the  way  of  the  wicked  is  as  dark- 
nefs.     The  certainty,  of  the  truth  of  thefe  obferva- 

tions, 

*  Dr.  Rush,  in  his"  Inquiry  into  the  EfFe6ls  of  Spiritvious  Li- 
quors," after  having  fpoken  of  their  efFecls,  on  the  body^, producing  dif- 
eafe,  goes  on  to  mention  their  effefls  on  property,  iia;^lijlfi;  among  the 
inhabitants  of  cities  they  produce  Debt,  Dilgrace  and /Bankruptcy, 
among  farmers  they  produce  Idlenefs,  with  its  uftiil. confequences, 
I'uch  as  houfes  without  windows,  barns  without  r»ofs#gardens  with- 
out inclofures,  fields  without  fences,  hogs  without  yo^s,  (heep;  with- 
out wool,  maugre  cattle,  feeble  horfes,  and  half-clad, dirty  cliildren, 
without  principles,  morals  or  manners. 


*•  The  RICHT  and  WRONG  WAY.       363 

tions,  may  be  gathered  from  the  fcripturesofthe  Old 
and  New  Teftament,  it  is  faid,  He  that  diggcth  a  pit, 
JJtcdlfall  therein  ;  he  that  breaketh  a  hedge,   the  fer- 
ment jfkall  bite  htm  ;  there  is  no  ferpent  in  the  high  way, 
no  lionjhall  be  there,  nor  any    ravenous  beajl,  but   on 
breaking  the  hedge  to  go  out  of"  the  way,  the  fcrpcnt 
JJiall  bite,  not  may   poflibly,  but  fhall.    Ourblcfied 
Saviour  fays,  Wuh  what  meafare  ye  mete,  itjiiall  be 
mcafured  to  you  again.     And  the  apoftle  faith,  What- 
Joever  a  man  fowe  h,  that  /hall  he  alfo  reap  :   He  that 
JowethtotheJleJh,Jhalloftke  fiejh  reap  corruption,'^ 
but  he  that  fowethto  thefpirit,Jhall  of  the  fpirit  reap 
life  everlajiing.  And  when  he  is  fpeaking  to  fervants, 
he   fays.    He  that  doth  wrongs  Jhall  receive  for  the 
wrong,  that  he  hath  done,  and  there  is  no  refpcB  of  per- 
fons,  no  not  thofe  who  may  be  citeemcd  high  in  the 
divine  favour  :  The  paffage  in  the  89th  pfahn,  firll 
mentioned,  may  here  be  recolle6ted.  If  his  children 
forfake  my  law,  I  will  vifit  their  tranfgrcfTion  with  a 
rod,  &c.     It  may  be  inquired,  how  doth  this  confift 
with  the  do6lrine  of  forgivenefs,  I   will  forgive    their 
iniquities,  and  remember  their  fins  no  more. 

Foranfwer,  the  cafe  of  the  children  of  Ifrael,  may 
be  mentioned,  who  fell  in  the  wildernefs,  for  whom 
Mofes  prayed.  Pardon  the  iniquity  of  this  people, 
Szc.  who  was  anfwered,  I  have  pardoned  according 
to  thy  word  ;  not  1  will,  but  I  have,  yet  it  is  faid, 
Surely  they  fhall  not  fee  the  land,  which  I  promifed 
to  their  fathers  ;  though  they  were  pardoned,  their 
carcaffcs  fell  in  the  wildernefs,  and  they  were  not  fuf- 
fered  to  go  into  the  promifed  land  :  The  pfalmilt 
appears  to  have  this  in  view,  pfalm  xcix.  8,  Thouwafi 
a  God  that  forgavefl  their  iniquities,  though  thou  took- 
rfl  vengeance  of  their  inventions.  It  is,  if  his  children 
forfake  my  law,  I  will  vifit  their  tranfgreffions  with  a 
rod,  &;c.  agreeable  to  the  paffage  in  the  Hebrews,  whom 
the  Lord  loveth,  he  chaflcncth  and  fcourgcth,  Every 

fon 


364       The  right  and  WRONG'WAY. 

fn  whom  he  receiveth.  In  Matthew  xviii.  27,  it  is 
faid,  The  Lord  of  that  fcrvant  was  T^oved  v;ith  copi- 
pajjion^  and  forgave  the  debt.  But  this  forgiven  fer- 
vant,  put  his  fcliow  fervant  int6  prifon  for  an  hund- 
red pence,  confequent  on  this,  was  delivered  to  the 
tormentors,  not  for  the  debt  that  was  forgiven,  but  in 
confequence  of  the  hardnefs  of  heart,  he  difcovrred 
towards  his  brother  after  his  forgiveneTs,  till  he  fliould 
pay  the  utmofl  farthing,  till  he  fliould  indure  the 
mifery  confequent  on  his  tranfgrefhon,  according  to 
the  law  of  retribution,  thu5  exprcffed  :  With  what 
rneafure  you  mete,  it  fhall  bemeafured  to  you  again, 
which  doth  not, militate  with  the  dotlrine  of  recon- 
ciliation, according  to  pfalm  xcix.  8. 

We  have  been  ready  to  look  on  tiie  afiliclions, 
diftrefles  and  miferies  of  the  children  of  men,  as  if 
they  denominated  them  the  hated  of  God;  evidences 
of  their  being  caft  oft'  by  him,  cfpecially  when  their 
affliflions  are  very  great ;  but  there  is  this  confola- 
tion,  that  he  whofe  name  is  Father  and  Redeemer 
from  everlafling,  is  unchangeable. 

Among  ourfelves,  the  difobedienceand  confequent 
mifery  of  a  fon,  doth  not  deftroy  the  relation  ;  but 
his  happinbfs  in  his  Fathers  prefence,  is  in  propor- 
tion to  his  dutiful  behj^viour. 

I  have  known  feveral  inftances  of  two  fonsof  one 
man.  The  one  brought  up  widiout  a  blow  or  a 
Oroke  of  the  rod,  the  other  fo  difobedient  and  ftub- 
born,  that  the  father  hath  been  obliged  with  aching 
heart,  to  multiply  the  ftripes  of  the  rod  of  correftion; 
yea,  I  have  known  the  inftance  when  the  difobedient 
ion,  ftill  refra£lory,  defpifed  the  corre6lion,  and  refii- 
fed  to  return.  This  difobedient  fon  confequcntly 
fhunned  his  father's  prefence,  and  looked  on  him  as 
an  enemy,  while  at  the  fame  time  the  bowels  of  the 
compafiion  of  his  father,  ftrongly  exercifed,  were 
manifefl  in  his  earneft  application   to  the   Father  of 

mercies, 


tHE  RIGHT  AKD  WRONG  WAY.         365 

mercies  for  the  dirobedient  fon,  who  was,  notwith- 
ftanding  his  difobedicnce,  a  beloved  Ion  dill,  ihoiigh 
he  nc  vcr  could  be  happy  in  the  apprehenfion  of  his 
father's  love,  while  he  continued  in  his  ftubbornnefs 
and  difobedience  ;  while  the  other  brother  vas  all  the 
while  happy  in  his  fitlier's  prefence,  enjoying  his 
'fmi'.e. 

I  knew  a  mother  who  had  three  children  that  lived 
to  grow  up,  who  faid  file  was  obliged  to  whip  each 
of  them  once  in  their  childhood,  and  never  ha,d  occn- 
fion  to  repeat  it,  they  being  ever  after  ready  to  fuo- 
mit  to  her  authority — the  rod  and  reproof  appeared 
to  give  wifdom. 

I  mention  this  to  fliow  the  happy  tendency  of  be- 
ing in  fubjection  to  the  Father  of  our  fpirits,  who 
dodi  not  affhcl  willingly,  nor  grieve  the  children  of 
men,  while  ftubbornnefs,  under  the  correcting  hand 
of  God,  caufes  a  behaviour  like  a  bullock  unaccuf- 
tomed  to  the  yoke,  wifhing  to  get  away,  would  fain 
flee  out  of  his  hand,  and  looks  on  him  as  an  enemy. 
While  this  ftubbornnefs  continues,  it  is  impoffible  to 
enjoy  happincfs. 

I  Vvifh  that  we  might  entertain  a  juft  apprehenfion 
ofthe  Gofpcl,  and  the  difpenfations  of  Providence, 
that  while  vfe  conceive  the  hope  of  eternal  life  by 
Jefus  Chrift,  as  brought  to  view  in  the  gofpel,  we 
may  have  a  juft  fcnfe  of  every  promife  of  chaftife- 
mcBt  and  corretlion,  that  we  meet  with  in  the  3crip- 
tures,  which  fet  before  us  life  and  good,  death  and 
evil,  and  excite  us  to  choofe  life  that  we  may  live. 
Where  is  our  life  ?  In  the  enjoyment  of  God — In 
thy  favor  is  life.  Kternal  life  is  the  gift  of  God, 
through  jefus  Chrift  our  Lord — doth  not  depend  on 
any  thing  wrought  in  us,  or  done  by  us.  But  life  and 
good,  death  and  evil,  are  fet  before  us  according  to 
the  way  in  which  we  walk.  If  we  walk  in  the  high 
way,  nothing  hath  any  right  to  annoy  us,  and  v»'e  have 

no 


366         The  RIGHT  and  WRONG  WAY. 

no  right  to  go  out  of  the  way,  for  if  we  go  afide  and 
break  the  hedge,  the  biting  of  the  ferpent  is  conneft- 
ed  with  it ;  and  can  any  man  enjoy  himfelf  thus  bit- 
ten, or  can  he  be  relieved  but  by  the  antitype  of  the 
brazen  ferpent. — I  would  further  fay,  there  are  moft 
beautiful  reprefentations  of  the  way  in  the  Scr  ptures. 
Suppofe  we  look  into  fome  pafTages  of  the  prophet 
Ifaiah,  where  it  is  repeatedly  called  a  highway;  the 
thought  is  enough  to  gladden  the  heart  of  a  traveller, 
that  though  ever  fo  poor,  he  hath  an  equal  right  with 
others  to  travel  on  the  high  way.  Glory  be  to  him 
who  calls  it  my  high  way.  Tis  the  friend  of  the 
pooreft  fubjefl: — they  fhall  have  proteftion  in  the 
high  way  :  Yes  !  they  (hall  be  proteded  from  inju- 
ry from  their  fellow  fubjefts. 

It  may  be  inquired,  But  may  not  the  travellers  be 
cxpofed  to  wild  beads. 

Anfwer.  No  lionjliall  be  there^  nor  any  ravenous 
leajl. 

Q.  What  Company  may  be  found  in  the  way. 

A.  Negatively,  The  unclean  Jhall  not  pafs  over  it. 

Pofitively,  The  redeemed  of  the  Lord  Jhall  -walk 
there, 

Q.  But  are  they  not  a  melancholy,  forrowfuljCafl- 
down,  company. 

A.     They  Jhall   return  and  come  to  Zion,  with 
Jongs  and  everlajling  joy  upon  their  heads,  they  JJiall 
obtain  joy  and  gladnejs,  and  forroiv  and  Jighing  Jhall 
Jlee  away. 

Q.  But  is  it  not  a  difRcult  way  by  reafon  of  low 
miry  places  fome  part  of  the  way,  and  mountains  in 
the  other. 

A.  The  King,  the  Lord  of  hofts  hath  faid,  /  will 
wake  all  my  mountains  a  way,  and  my  high  ways  jliall 
he  exalted;  and  hath  directed  a  caft  up  way  over  the 
low  places,  prepare  ye  the  way  oj  the  people,  cajl  up^ 
caji  up  the  high  way  ;  gather  out  the  Jiones,  take  up 
the  Stumbling-Block,  out  ojthe  way  oJ  my  people. 

Q.  Is 


The  right  and  WRONG  WAY.         367 

Q.  Is  not  the  way  through  the  wildernefs,  where 
we  may  be  expofed  to  hunger  and  thirft  ? 

A.  He  hath  faid,  I  will  make  a  way  in  the  wilder- 
nefs^ and  ftreams  in  the  dcfert ;  it  is  faid  of  the  chiU 
dren  of  Ifrael,  They  thirjled  not  when  he  led  them 
through  the  defert^  he  caujed  the  water  tojlow  out  of 
the  rock  for  them.  Refpcfting  hunger,  read  Ifaiali 
xlix.  8,  9,  10,  Thus  faith  the  Lord,  in  an  accepted 
time  have  I  heard  thefe^and  in  a  day  of  falvation  have 
I  helped  thee,  and  I  will  preferve  thee,  and  give  thee 
for  a  covenant  of  the  people  to  eflablijji  the  earth  ;  to 
cavfe  to  inherit  the  defolate  heritage,  that  thou  mayefi 
fay  to  the  prifoners,  go  forth  Jo  them  that  fit  m  dark- 
nef,fhew  yoarfelves, 

Mark  the  following  moft  gracious  word,  "  They 
fljall  feed  in  the  way,  and  their  paflures  fhall  be  in 
all  high  places,  they  fhall  not  hunger  nor  thirft,  nei- 
ther Ihall  the  heat  or  fun  fmite  them ;  but  he  that 
bath  mercy  on  them  fhall  lead  them  even  by  the 
fpring  of  water,  fhall  he  guide  them." 

Alas !  among  men  it  often  happens  that  poor  prif- 
oners, when  liberated  from  the  prifon,  are  in  very 
deftitute  circumflances,  having  nothing  to  fatisfy  hun^ 
ger  or  thirft,  and  expofed  to  the  inclemency  of  the 
feafon  ;  but  our  gracious  deliverer  hath  provided 
plentifully,  and  hath  faid,  he  that  cometh  unto  mejhall 
never  hunger,  and  he  that  belicvcth  on  mefliall  never 
thirfl. 

It  follows — and  I  will  ?nake  all  my  mountains  a  way, 
and  my  high  ways  fhall  be  exalted,  fo  as  to  remove  all 
cbftruflions  from  all  parts  :  Behold,  obferve  the  notes 
of  attention  :  Behold,  and  lo,  behold,  thefejhall  come 
from  far,  and  lo,  thcfe  from  the  north,  and  from  the 
wefi,  and  thefe  from  the  land  of  Sinim,  or  the  South 
Country. 

When  we  meditate  on  this  moft  delightful  paf- 
fage,  can  we  help   looking  on  the  1 3th   verfe  with 

pyful 


368       The  RIGHT  and  WRONG  WAY. 

joyful  admiration,  Sing  0  heavens^  and  be  jgyful  0 
earth^break  f^rth  into  Jinging  0  viountains^for  the 
Lord  hath  comforted  his  people^  and  w  II  have  mercy 
on  hn  aJfliSled.  Thus  you  have  my  endeavour  to 
lead  your  mind  to  -fome  pafTages  ,of  fcnpture  that 
fpeaks  of  the  way  ;  it  is  from  them  I  wifli  you  to  taice 
your  ideas,  and  take  nothing  from  me  that  is  not 
agreeable  to  them.       /♦ 

Taking  my  leave  of  my  readers,  I  would  bring  to 
view  2d  of  Corinthians,  xiii.  n.  Finally  brethren, 
farewell,  be  pe,rfect,  be  of  good  comfort,  be  of  one 
mind,  live  in  peace  and  the  God  of  peace  fliall  be 
with  you. 

Finally  :  As  if  the  apoftle,  about  ta  leave  them, 
as  it  were,  paufed,  to  recolleft  how  he  might  fum  up 
all  he  hadjfaid,  in  a  few  comprehenfive  words,  full  of, 
aftetlion, 

My  brethren,  how  comprehenfive  the  expreffion, 
implying  relation,  affeftion  and  equality,  as  children 
of  one  father,  leading  our  minds  to  the  conlideration 
of  Jefus  Chrift,  who  is  not  afhamed  to  call  us  breth- 
ren, who  gracioufly  fent  to  his  difcfples  after  his  re- 
furreQ:ion,  faying,  Go  to  my  brethren,  and  fay  unto 
them,  I  afcend  to  my  Father  and  your  Father,  to  my 
God  and  your  Godn  The  expreffions  include  in  them 
love,  honour,  reverence,  fubmiffion,  truft  and  confi- 
dence, joy  and  confolation  ;  in  God,  in  Chrift  as  our 
father,  and  every  expreffion  of  ardent  affeftion  we 
mSy  be  called  to,  and  have  ability  and  opportunity 
for  one  towards  another.  Is  not  jefus  Chrift  afha- 
med to  call  us  brethren  ?  How  fhall  I  then  exprefs 
my  fliame,  that  my  poor  brother  has  been  treated 
with    luch   cold   indifference   by  me  this  day. 

But  what  has  the  apoftle  to   fay  to  his  brethren  ? 

Fare  well,  as  if  he  had  laid,  the  doctrine  I  have  taught 
among  you  fince  I  have  determined  to  know  nothing 
among  you,  fave  Jefus  Chrift  and  him  crucified  is  a 

faving, 


The  right  and  WRONG  WAY.       369 

faving,  foul-fatisfying  teftimony,  calculated  for  your 
welfare  :  Hold  faft  the  grace  therein  contained,  and 
you  will  fare  well,  however  your  circumftances  may 
be  in  the  world,  for  we  are  complete  in  him. 

Be  perfect :  As  if  he  had  faid,  keep  in  view  what  I 
have  preached  and  wrote  to  you  concerning  Chrifl 
Jefiis  ;  viewing  his  perfect  chara6ter  and  finifhed 
work  as  witnefs  in  his  refurredion,  as  your  head  in 
behalf  of  all  his  members. 

View  him  as  the  firll  born  among  many  brethren; 
the  brother  born  for  adverfity,  the  kinfman  who  had 
right  to  redeem — keep  this  in  view,  and  you  arc 
complete  in  him — your  perfection  is  there. 

Be  of  good  comfort;  is  there  enough  in  Jcfus  Chrifc 
for  your  welfare  and  perfeftion,  enjoy  it ;  be  of  good 
comfort;  let  it  be  your  comforting  cordial  in  all  your 
affli£lions  and  diftreffes  in  life  and  death. 

Live  in  peace,  peace  being  preached  by  Jefus 
Chrifl,  he  being  our  peace,  having  made  peace  by 
the  blood  of  his  crofs,  given  his  peace  to,  and  left 
it  with  his  difciples,  how  refrefhing  the  tidings;  on 
his  rel'urreclion,  the  fame  day  at  even,  when  the  doors 
werejhut^  when  the  difciples  were  ajjenibled  for  fear 
of  the  Jews — came  Jefus  and  flood  in  the  midfl,  and 
faid,  peace  unto  you,  and  when  he  hadfofatd,  hef hewed 
them  his  hands,  and  his  fide,  gave  them  evidences  to 
their  fatisf action  and  joy,  that  it  zoas  he  !  Then  tuere 
the  difciples  glad  when  they  faw  the  Lord.  In  which 
there  appeared  a  fulfilment  of  Pfalm  cxix.  74.  They 
that  fear  thee  will  he  glad  when  they  fee  me,  becaufe  I 
have  hoped  in  thy  word. 

When  the  difciples  were  thus  convinced  and  fatis- 
fied,  he  faiih  unto  ihcm  again,  peace  unto  you  ;  and 
after  eight  days  the  difciples  were  within,  and  Tho- 
mas with  them  ;  then  came  Jefus  and  flood  in  the 
midfl,  and  faid,  peace  unto  you.  His  gift  of  peace 
flowed  from  unchangeable  love,  notwithitanding 
Z  z  they 


370      The  RIGHT  and  WRONG  WAY. 

'they  had  all  forfook  him  and  fled,  and  fome 
of  them  had  fo  {hamefully  denied  him  in  the 
time  of  his  deep  humiHation  :  Thoagh  they  were 
changable  and  forfook  him,  he  being,  the  fame  yejhr- 
day^  to  day,  and  forever,  forfook  not  them,  but  ma- 
nifefted  the  truth  of  what  he  had  faid,  when  he  gave 
them  his  peace,  Noit  as  the  world  giveth,  give  I  un/§ 
^ou,  let  not  your  hearts  be  troubled,  neither  let  it  be  a- 
fraid.  The  world  gives  peace,  and  offences  break 
it  ;  but  though  the  mountains  fhall  depan,  and  the 
bills  be  removed,  my  kindnefs  fhall  not  depart  from 
thee,  neither  fhall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  re- 
moved, faith  the  Lord,  that  hath  mercy  on  thee. 

Tothem  was  confirmed,  thus  repeatedly  he  fent  his 
apoftles  forth  to  preach  peace  by  J  efusChnft,  agreeable 
to  the  prophecy, /crf^/c  the  jrwt  ofihelips^peace^peau 
to  them  that  are  far  off,  and  to  them  that  are  mgk. 
How  becoming  thofe,  that  are  bleffed  with  thefc  g'.ad 
tidings,  to  live  in  peace,  according  to  the  apofnes 
wifii,  in  his  farewell  to  them  :  Agreeable  to  the  ex- 
hortation given  elfewhere,  if  it  be  pofhble,  as  nnich 
as  in  you  lies,  live  peaceable  v/ith  all  men,  be  at  peace 
among  yourfelves  ;  it  becomes  every  difcipic  of 
Jefus  Chrift,  to  be  a  peaceable  member  of  lociety, 
and  a  peaceable  member  of  the  family,  where  they 
are  planted  in  the  providence  of  God. 

And  the  God  of  peace  fhall  be  with  you.  Is  it 
poffible  to  be  otherwife  ?  Only  bring  all  into  one 
point ;  the  God  of  peace, rvho  brought  again  from  the 
dead,  our  Lord  Jefus  Chriji  ;  that  great  fhepherd 
of  the  fiecp,  through  the  blood  <)f  the  everlajting  cove- 
nant, hath  hereby  provided  for  our  welfare,  perfec- 
tion, confolation,  union  and  peace;  and  in  the  view 
of  this,  while  we  are  at  peace  one  with  another,  he  is 
gracioully  and  fenfibly  pre  fent  with  us. 

While,  if  we  indulge  the  works  of  the  flefh,  which 
i-s  hatred,  wrath,  ftnfe,  &c.  it  raifes  a  cloud  that  inter- 
cepts 


The  right  and  WRONG  WAY.        371 

oepts  the  view  of  the  God  of  peace,  agreeable  to 
Ifaiah  lix.  2,  Your  iniquities  have  feparated  between 
you  end  your  God:  Obferve  it  is  your  God;  not- 
withftanding,  O  the  grace,  its  becaufe  he  is  God 
and  not  man,  and  to  Jeremiah  v.  25,  Your  iniqui- 
ties have  tamed  away  thefe  things^  and  yourjins  hav^c 
toithholden  good  Jrom  you. 

Thus  have  I  taken  a  view  of  the  Apoftles  taking 
leave  of  his  Corinthian  brethren,and  taking  my  leave 
of  my  readers,  I  would  fay,  brethren,  as  I  know  no 
other  hope  of  faring  well,  perfeftion,  good  comfort, 
or  peace,  for  my  felf,  but  what  is  here  hinted  at, 
it  has  been  one  motive  in  my  writings  to  lead  my 
readers  to  view  and  confider  thofe  fcripture  truths, 
that  has  led  my  mind  to  thefe  confolations  :  There- 
fore, bringing  to  view  the  Apoftles  expreffion  in 
Galations  iv.  12,  Brethren  I  befeech  you^be  as  I  am, 
for  I  apt  as  ye  are.  Wherein  he  appears  to  perfuade 
them  to  be  fatisfied  with  the  perfe6l  work  of  Chrift, 
as  the  alone  ground  of  their  acceptance,  as  it  was 
his,  he  being  a  fellow  finner  with  them.  I  would 
clofe  with  my  hearty  wiih  that  feeing  we  are  com- 
plete in  him,  we  may  all  join  with  Pf.»lm  cxv.  1, 
Not  unto  us  I  Not  unto  us,  but  io  thy  name,  give  glory 
for  thy  mercy,  for  thy  truths  fake,  for  of  him  and 
through  him,  and  to  him^  are  all  things^  to  whom  be 
glory  for  ever, 

AMEN. 


Aged 


572  ADVICE  T*  A  YOUXG  MAN. 

Aged  Advice  to  a  Yo u k  g  Man  Jetting  oiti  in  the 

world. 

X  OUNG  man,  I  wifli  you  to  remember  ynvt 
belong  to  your  Creator,  Preferver,  and  Redeemer  ; 
who  is  our  mafter  and  Lord.  Though  you  are  now 
free  from  vour  earthly  mailer,  it  is  your  happinefsand 
honor,  and  the  only  way  to  enjoy  liberty,  to  confider 
you  have  a  mailer  in  Heaven,and  make  it  the  rule  of 
your  conduct  to  inquire  what  is  his  will  concerning 
you,  aftd  to  endeavour  to  purfue  a  conduct  agreeable 
thfteto.       . • 

In  dealinq;  with  your  fellow  men,  his  direftion  is 
all-thirrsj:  \^'i^tlbever  ye  wcmld  that  men  ijiould  do 
4:o  y<U;  do  ye  even  fo  to  them. 

In  oiir  cni^yrneuts,  the  greateft.  of  which  begin  the 
week,  by  bringing  to  view  the  refurreO^ion  of  Jei'us 
Clirift,  the  foundation  of  the  Chriftian  hopq  ;  let  it 
then  be  our  inquir)/- how  would  my  mailer  and  Lord 
have  me  Ipcnd  the  day  :  Not  bow  would  my  ac- 
quaintance, or  ray  corrupt  inclination  lead  me.     And 

■thus  from  day  to  day  through  the    week. When 

any  day  of  relaxation  from  bufinefs,  or  diverfion  Ar- 
rive, let  it  be  perlued  with  a  lively,  jovful  fenfe  of 
bis  prefence,  for  he  is  not  far  from  every  one  of  us, 
for  in  him  we  live  and  move,  and  have  our  being, 
for  we  are  all  his  offspring.  Are  we  all  his  off- 
ipring  ?  A  reviving  thought!  How  happy  aje  little 
children  to  havc^  their  father  go  with  them  on  a  holi- 
day, fhew  them  what  is  to  be  feen,  tell  them  the 
meaning,  and  what  ufe  to  make  of  what  they  fee, 
what  dangers  to  fhun,  what  enjoyments  they  may 
partake  in  !  How  fafe  they  feel  themfelvcs  under 
his  protection,  till  they  return  fafe  home  under  his 
care  ;  while  fuch  as  rcje6l  parental  care  often  get 
hurtc  abufed,  and  lofe  themfelves,  and  brought  home, 
greatly  dilTatisfied  ;  children  of  12  and  upwards  may 
get  a  hint  of  inftruQion  from  them.  A  fenfe 


ADVICE  TO  A  YOUNG  MAN.  373 

A  fenfe  of  the  prefcnce  of  our  Father  with  us,  inay 
be  a  powerful  motive  to  fhun  that  profanene-Is  of 
fpeech  which  is  To  common  and  fafliionable  among 
too  many  of  our  young  people.  It  is  a  vice  altoge- 
ther unprofitable.  Can  an  inftance  be  produced  of 
oncnhat  ever  got  any  thing  by  it,  to  clothe  or  feed 
himfelf  or  family  ? 

Again  :  It  is  a  foolifh  practice.  A  very  profane 
..perfon,  being  in  a  tavern  where  was  much  company, 
who  were  diilurbed  with  his  prufanenefs,  one  of  them 
iaddrefl'ed  the  tavern  keeper  thus,  "  Do  you  allow  of 
fuchprofanenefsinyour  houfe?''Who  anfweredjlmuft 
impute  it  to  lack  of  good  fenfe ;  a  man  of  good  fenfe 
^an  entertain  his  company  without  itjbut  where  good 
fenfe  is  wanting,  it  is  often  brought  in  to  fill  up  a  va- 
trancy. 

Again,  it  is  a  hurtful  vice,  as  it  has  a.  hurtful  ten- 
•^ency,  among  thoughtlefe  youth.  If  a  young  man. 
llhat  is  hired  as  foreman  of  a  fliop,  indulge  himfetf 
herein,  it  is  a  wonder  if  it  do  not  fpread  among  all 
:the  apprentices,  and  if  fome  of  them  don't  go  beyond 
him  in  it,  fo  as  even  to  call  for  a  rebuke  from  him, 
that  was  inftrumental  of  leading  him  therein:  Befides 
a  young  man  has  the  hopes  and  profpe6lsofa  family, 
and  perhaps  has  no  caution  on  his  mind,  while  his 
children  are  in  infancy,  and  ere  he  is  awarc,the  wead 
takes  root,  and  fprings  up  with  their  learning  to 
fpeak,  and  grows  with  rapidity,  with  ihe  growth  of 
the  children  ;  to  prevent  which  let  every  young  man 
take  care  he  does  not  fave,  nor  fow  the  feed. 

Again  :  It  is  the  moft  diflionourable  to  God, 
whofe  name  is  the  Great  God  our  Saviour,  to  call 
on  him  to  do  the  worl^  of  the  deftroyer. 

Jtffus  Chrift  fays,  the  thief  cometh  not  but  for  to 
ileal,  and  to  kill,  and  to  deftroy  :  I  am  come  that 
they  might  have  life,  and  that  they  might  have  more 
abundantly.     Now  if  a;iy  perfon  v;iU  indulge  himfelf 

to 


3.74  AtiVlCE  to  a  YOUNG  MAN. 

to  fay,  "  God  damn  you,  it,me,  him  or  them,"  what  is 
•it  but  to  call  on  the  juft  God  and  the  Saviour,  to  do 
the  work  of  the  thief,  the  murderer  and  ^deftroyer  ; 
to  take  from  himfelf  the  fruit  of  his  purchafe  j  to  kill 
thofe  that  he  came  to  give  life  to,  and  deftroy  what 
he  came  to  fave.  Can  our  adverfary  the  devil,  with 
all  his  devices,  contrive  any  thing  more  diflionoura- 
"ble  to  the  Great  God  our  Saviour. 

A  fober  thought  on  the  unprofitablenefs,  the  folly, 
the  hateful  tendency,  and  above  all,  of  its  being  dif- 
honourable  to  God,  will,  I  hope,  guard  your  mind 
from  every  appearance  of  this  evil. 

Upon  the  whole,  on  our  fetting  out  and  travelling 
through  the  prefent  world,  our  fafety  and  bappinefs  is 
to  keep  the  high  way;  the  high  way  of  the  upright 
you  know  is  to  depart  from  evil.  The  upright  one 
has  marked  it  out — rhas  given  order  to  caftup  the  high 
way,  to  gather  out  the  ftones,  to  take  out  the  ftumb- 
ling  blocks  out  of  the  way  of  his  peOple ;  has  engaged 
that  no  lion  fhall  be  there,  nor  any  ravenous  beaft. 
Keep  then  the  high  way,  and  you  keep  the  way  of 
fafety,  peace  and  joy.  It  is  the  only  way  to  true  bap- 
pinefs in  the  prefent  world.*  To  wander  fpom  this 
way,  leads  to  darknefs,  diftrefs  and  mifery. 

i  doubt  not  but  you  will  receive  this  as  an  evidence 
of  the  love  of  your  old  friend,  that  wifhes  you  9 
happy  journey  through  this  prefent  evil  world. 

*  [  fay,  in  the  prefent  world  I  need  not  inform  yoil,  except  it  be 
to  ftirup  your  mind  by  way  of  remembrance,  of  what  you  already 
know,  that  eternal  lift  is  the  gift  of  God  through  Jefus  CKrift  our 
Lord. 


FINIS. 


CONTENTS. 


SECTION!, 

JtEACE  and  Joy,  Containing  the  Evidences  nf  the 
Truth  of  the  Gojpd^from  page  5  t§  66 

SECTION     II. 

The  Gofpel  of  Peace  pablijhed  among  all  Nations,  in 
An  Inquiry  concerning  Repentance  and  RemiJJion  of 
Sins,  from  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New-T-ef- 
tameni  ;  addreffed,  \fi,  to  the  Author  of  a  PampJi- 
let,  entitled.  Divine  Glory  in  the  Condemnation  of 
the  ungodly  ;  2dly^  to  all  for  -whom  Chrifl  died, 
from  pags  66  to  92 

SECTION     III. 

The  Gofpel  thus  Evidenced  and  Publi/Jied,t9  be  preach- 
ed to  every  Creature,  with  an  Endeavour  to  /hew 
that  the  Dodrine  of  EleHion,  rightly  underjiood,  can 
be  no  objedion   thereunto,  from  page  ^2,  to        113 

SECTION     IV. 

j^n  attention  to  the  Scriptures  for  a  fatisfa^ory  an- 
fvjer  to  the  mofi  important  Inquiry  that  can  exercfc 
the  mindi  of  Man, from  page  11^  to  135 

SECTION     V. 

Several  OhjeUions  againfl  the  Extent  of  the  Gofpel 
Salvation^  confidered  in  an  Addrcfs  t9  Mr.  Samuel 
Mather,  fro7H  page  135  to  1 79 

SECTION     VI. 

A  Univerfal  Call  to  Thankfgiv:mg,for  the  glad  tidings 
of  the  Gofpel,  thus  Evidenced  and  Promulgated, 
from  pa^e  ijg  to  197 


376  CONTENT     S. 

SECTION    VII. 

The  Confeqiient  Ohligatiom  on  the  Believer i  of  the  Gof' 
pcl^  in  a  PraBical  EJfay,  in  Three  Parts. 
Part  ijl,  Addrejf'ed  to  Hvjbands  and  Wives. 
Part  2^,  To  Parents. 

Part  .^df  The  Cafe  of  Children  conjidered^  xuilh  an 
Zxhertation  to  them,  from  page  igy  to  257 

SECTION    VIII. 

A  Dialogue  between  Teacher  and  Scholar,  for  the  ben- 
efit of  Young  Men, from  page  2^j  to       *  282 

SECTION     IX. 

A  fmall  collection  of  Pfalms,  Hymns,  and  Spiritual 
Songs, from  page  2^2  to  315 

SECTION    X. 

Scripture  Truths  and  Precepts — a  Jhort  Catechifm, 
from  page  ^1^  to  34S 

SECTION     XI. 

The  Right  and  Wrong  Way,  with  their  Tendency  and 
Effe^s^  To  which  is  added,  the  Writer's  farewell  to 
his  Readers,  from  page  346  to  374 


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